Muddled Perception

This Time, A Kept Promise (mix CD sent to you)

2011-07-25T21:27:00.000-07:00

So, in the past, I've promised customized mixes for people that requested one. Needless to say, I did not get very far fulfilling that promise (Mix 1, Mix 2, Mix 3).

With absolutely no reason to trust me, I offer you another offer: a pre-made mix that generally incorporates songs from the previous three mixes/2 years (hey, listening to new music is often a chore). So, if you want it just let me know and I will send it to you/deliver it via bicycle. (note: this means getting an actual CD; who uses those things anymore?)

The general theme can be summed in bullets:

some of my favorite songs (here's looking at you Velvet Underground, Beatles)
new favorites (yo yo Animal Collective)
modern nostalgia
summer sounds that wind down into a cool, dark soliloquy as the guests are slow to leave

Teardrop - Jose Gonzalez
Baby's Arms - Kurt Vile
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - The Beatles
Walkabout (feat. Noah Lennox) - Atlas Sound
What Would I Want? Sky - Animal Collective
Don't Make Plans - Ducktails
Amazing (feat. Lakutis) - Das Racist
Below the Heavens pt. I - Blu & Exile
Below the Heavens pt. II - Blue & Exile
Should Have Taken Acid with You - Neon Indian
Lover's Spit - Broken Social Scene
You - Gold Panda
Solitude is Bliss - Tame Impala
When We're Dancing - Twin Shadow
Warm Heart of Africa (feat. Ezra Koenig) - The Very Best
All My Friends - LCD Soundsystem
Candy Says - Velvet Underground

Wherein I Describe the First Mix

2011-07-20T22:01:00.000-07:00

1 Aeroplane - Red Hot Chili Peppers
2 My Own Worst Enemy - Lit
3 Chemicals Between Us - Bush
4 What's My Age Again - Blink182
5 Intergalactic - Beastie Boys
6 Kryptonite - Three Doors Down
7 Sour Girl - Stone Temple Pilots
8 Satellite - Dave Matthews Band
9 Boyz in the Hood - Dynamite Hack
10 Little Things- Good Charlotte
11 Foxy Lady - Jimi Hendrix
12 All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix
13 Over My Head - Fenix Tx
14 Sex and Candy - Marcy Playground
15 Polly - Nirvana
16 Keep Em Separated - The Offspring
17 Better Man - Pearl Jam
18 Last Resort - Papa Roach
19 Killing in the Name - Rage Against the Machine
20 Cirlces - Soul Coughing

This was the age of Napster. Pre-college napster. High school napster where only the cool kids knew what was up. At the same time I was being spoonfed slightly above average modern rock dribble, dished studiously, reliably, and repeatedly from Philly's Y-100. I was 17 and I didn't have a license.

It was my senior year and I had just been exposed to music. My CD rack was lonely, want of companions. I remember sitting around listening to Y-100 (45 miles outside of Philly, deep in the boonies) on my sister's hand-me-down cassette player, antenna pointed justly, waiting for "Inside Out" by Eve 6 or "Jumper" by Third Eye Blind to come on the radio. Maybe an occasional Live, Weezer, Eagle Eye Cherry, or Pearl Jam song. That's all I knew. But my fingers, hovering over that red record button, was always anticipating what the DJ was going to play next just so I could record it on cassette and listen to it over and over and over.

So it came as a surprise when Andrew Ross offered to make me a CD while eating pancakes at 3 am in smokey Jenny's Diner. I had heard of this ability to pick and choose individual songs and record (record!) them onto a CD but it literally seemed too good to be true. I could listen to any song I wanted whenever I wanted as many times as I wanted? I jumped on the opportunity and we scribed a few selections on the white diner napkin.

There was another time when my friend--following a two-week camping trip where all we did was talk about the food we would eat and the movies we would watch upon return--promised to tape Christmas Vacation and The Goonies onto VHS. I spent the two-day trip from remote Ontario to Pennsylvania thinking about how when I got home I was going to spend the rest of the summer sitting in the cool dark of my grandparent's living room watching Clark W. Griswold and Chunk on repeat, maybe pausing for a swim in the pool and corn on the cob. Life looked perpetually easy until I had to start buying notebooks, pencils, and new shoes for the start of the school year.

That VHS never arrived. I knew it was too good to be true; to watch exactly what I wanted when I wanted.

Even though we wrote down some song ideas, I was sure that the lateness or the smoke or my general pessimism would again forbid this entertainment.

The next week my hopes were high but faded as we again met for bowling and late-night pancakes without a mention of the mix. So it was a surprise when a group of high-school guys made a purposeful trip to Andrew's house to watch a red-pleathered Britney Spears debut her newest video, "Oops!...I did it again," (raging testosterone is shameless) that he presented Recluse Ninjas, my first mix.

It had many the songs I asked for (Good Charlotte, Papa Roach, Lit, Dynamite Hack) and many I did not (Three Doors Down, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Hendrix, Rage).

As I didn't have a car I would often bring my collection of CDs into my friend Ian's car wherever we went. How quaint. I also remember, two years later, schlepping my now 120+ CD collection across the country on a family trip in the southwest. Such is the desire to play DJ. That fall, Ian and I worked at the Urban Outfitters distribution center. We are out a lot. Went on random drives. Went fishing. Recluse Ninjas was constantly in his CD player egging us on to sing those songs. On break from all the lifers at Urban Outfitters, we went to his car, ate Tastykakes, drank Turkey Hill Iced Tea, doors open and sang:

"Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me. Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me. FUCK YOU, I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME."

"Woke up quick at about noon just thought I had to be in Compton soon. Gotta get drunk before my day beings and my mother starts bitchin about my friends. About to go and damn near went blind you n***** on the block come up blindside, I went in the house to get my clip with my mac 10 on the side of my hip....then i let the alpine play, i was pumpin new shit by nwa. it was gangsta gansta at the top of the list..."

"...little things, little things, they try to break me down, the little things, the little things just won't go away.."

We criss-crossed Lancaster County, dipped into Delaware, and searched for nothing in particular while driving around singing crappy punk-pop, white-boy covers of NWA, political rage metal. Windows down, seats reclined.

Though the CD is scratched, the musicians dead, bloated, or faded into obscurity, the music and the order of the songs still resonates with me. It isn't the best music. Some I'm embarrassed to have liked (and some other friends made sure I was aware of this). It even encouraged checking out a few shows. But for the time it was my music. No one else had that combination of songs that played next to one another. STP into DMB into Dynamite Hack into Good Charlotte into Hendrix? I don't think so. But I did and it was all I wanted at the time. It was ALL I wanted. And it was all for me to share with my friends.

25 Videos from Vimeo

2011-05-28T22:27:00.000-07:00

Youtube? Amateurs. Literally.

Vimeo? Pros. Really.

Here are 25 videos that I have liked on Vimeo, many of them of them straight-up music videos. View 'em big, view 'em loud. Visually interesting and sonically expansive. I will do this everytime I 'like' 25 videos there. Enjoy!

PS: I suggest viewing them on Vimeo's website to get the full HD effect...it's worth it.

JELLYFISH LAKE, PALAU from Sarosh Jacob on Vimeo.

Food Pyramid - "Cruisin" from moon glyph on Vimeo.

A life on Facebook from Matteo Gracis on Vimeo.

Bergen - Oslo - 7h train trip in 33 minutes from ApaczoS on Vimeo.

FRAMED-Andi Wittmann Rider profile from Felix Urbauer on Vimeo.

Beach House - New Song from Eric Martinez on Vimeo.

El Guincho - Bombay from CANADA on Vimeo.

Massive Attack -Splitting The Atom @ Sportpaleis 03/09/2010 from elgooG Life on Vimeo.

Julian Lynch "Just Enough" from OLDE ENGLISH SPELLING BEE on Vimeo.

Sunday Brunch: Ducktails from Ray Concepcion on Vimeo.

Sunday Brunch: Alex Bleeker from Ray Concepcion on Vimeo.

LCD Soundsystem - Drunk Girls from DFA Records on Vimeo.

Lightning strikes three of the tallest buildings in Chicago at the same time! from Craig Shimala on Vimeo.

Psychobuildings from Yoonha Park on Vimeo.

Heaven's on Fire from Andrew MacKenzie on Vimeo.

Iceland, Eyjafjallajökull - May 1st and 2nd, 2010 from Sean Stiegemeier on Vimeo.

Holy Fuck: Lovely Allen (No Age Remix) from Yoonha Park on Vimeo.

Devendra Banhart Live at Coachella 2009 from ZManBarzel on Vimeo.

Best Coast - When I'm With You from Pete Ohs on Vimeo.

Caribou - Odessa from Video Marsh on Vimeo.

Massive Attack - Splitting the Atom directed by Edouard Salier from edouard salier on Vimeo.

The Juan Maclean - Happy House from DFA Records on Vimeo.

Small Black: Despicable Dogs from Yoonha Park on Vimeo.

The Juan MacLean - Happy House (Live at The Double Door) from The Belmont Sessions on Vimeo.

Cover creation from Peter Belanger on Vimeo.

And It's December

2010-12-02T00:26:00.000-08:00

An entire quarter came and went and I died the blog death I said I would die and no one is surprised by any of this.

But in the meantime I got married.

And started (and am almost finished) my first quarter of graduate school.

It's been insane but with the end in sight I can say it's been a good insane. Classes have been a slight disappointment but I chalk that up to being the first quarter. Plus, my brain is awakening from its long slumber. It's like El Nino. Or La Nina. You know, the one that doesn't cause massive destruction. Wait, is my brain causing massive destruction or did I cause massive destruction to it?

Oh, poor, poor simile. Two demerits.

Married life is like some sort of exile. No, wait, the exile is caused by school. Poor causality there amigo.

Married life is fine. It's the school that keeps me from seeing her. What a cruel joke that was to get married and start school on Monday. We are hoping to get away to some place at some point in the near future and speak more than four sentences at time to one another. With her work schedule and my school schedule it's like ships passing in the night.

Whoa. Three demerits for an overused simile.

In the meantime, I have a week and a half left of school and then we fly east for Christmas.

I'm looking forward to watching a movie, reading an actual book (burn journal articles, burn!), and spending actual time with the special lady friend.

I think writing here would be beneficial. I remember saying something about something about writing and it being a stress reliever. Well, I also said I would blog-expire and probably apologized (such as been the theme of the last two posts). I think we all know how that went. A whole bunch of half-truths. Pick your battles I suppose.

In that case: see you next spring!

But I'm not Dead Yet...

2010-09-21T22:39:00.000-07:00

Pish. Posh. You most certainly are dead, sir.

I've nearly abandoned this blog to the point where the only updates are stating how I've nearly abanded this blog to the point where the only updates...

Well, I'm leaving for the east coast and grad school is starting and work is continuing. It's highly doubtful that it will continue with earnest effort in the coming weeks. Perhaps I will squeeze something in, maybe it serving as a stress reliever.

We shall see.

Of consequence none

2010-09-02T22:01:00.000-07:00

The problem with keeping a digital log is that absence often overcomes presence. Such that apologies are necessary, to correct unspecified wrongdoings.

Pretend the above is my apology; a slight action to remedy failure.

But I don't know why this preface is necessary. Did we bind to engage in such a way that mandates some obligation on my behalf? Perhaps it was presumed, or maybe assumed, because I am "here", writing, to YOU.

None of that matters.

But it has been a chunk and for that I'm sorry.

It's been chaotic and less. This time of my life is somewhat uncharted. When I was 16 thinking about my life ahead of me it went...

College...something something something wife house kids gray hair death.

There is a lot of something something something between college and wife, death. It's a maze where you see the beginning and the end is always the goal but the middle parts gets tangled in its own curves. And we all know it's easiest to let the curls go off on their own and always seek the straightest path. But this isn't some doldrums. It won't get tumbled until it's unrecognizable. The obtuse and chaotic, crazy lines will lead to that gray hair, death but before must face the wall, the curve that leads to it.

Surprisingly, little of this wall is frightening. But rather fresh. There is a certain rhythm that crashes and unexpectedly carries you to a space distant from where you started. And that is frightening. But then you realize, can tell where you are. Where you started and where you are going.

Where I'm going is still uncertain but I'm not as scared of it as I once was. More assured I'm guessing. With so many changes descending upon me at the same time (at the same time!) it's somewhat comforting being able to revel in the chaos. Not realizing what will happen but realizing how doesn't really matter. Just that it fits and it's right.

I Have A Problem

2010-06-13T22:55:00.000-07:00

My friend visited us a few weeks ago. A few days of stay later, after sufficient saturation of his new environment, he turned to me and asked, with perhaps a slight stink of condescension:

"What percent of these books do you think you have read?"

I felt so vulnerable. My unchecked book purchases are finally raising some eyebrows (the most recent haul from the Seattle Public Library semi-annual book sale. $1 each! [not pictured: 20 purchased DVDs]). But then I felt calm and suddenly empowerment. It was the first time, at that moment, that I was OK with not reading 100% of them. I was OK with not reading 50%. It's my system (the systembeing collecting way more books than I can reasonably read) and that's fine. It is what happened. It is.

This was a bit of breakthrough. Feeling good about this new freedom, I happily road the bus to work the next day reading a book leant to me by my sister, The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby. A book she leant to me at least two years ago.

Sliding in my seat due to the pothole ridden road, my eyes were affixed. Breathlessly reading, eyes glinting, barely fathoming that a popular author echoed my exact problem (this is why we read books, right? to validate our own indecision and hesitant thoughts?). And I quote:

Zaid's finest moment, however, comes in his second paragraph, when he says that "the truly cultured are capable of owning thousands of unread books without losing their composure or their desire for more."

That's me! And you, probably! That's us! "Thousands or unread books"! "Truly cultured"! Look at this month's list: Chekhov's letters, Amis's letters, Dylan Thomas's letters... What are the chances of getting through that lot? I've started on the Chekhov, but they Amis and the Dylan Thomas have been put straight into the permanent home on the shelves, rather than onto any sort of temporary pending pile. They Dylan Thomas I saw remaindered for fifteen quid (down from fifty) just after I'd read a terrific review of a new Thomas biography in the New Yorker, the Amis letters were a fiver. But I was finding a home for them in the Arts and Lit non-fiction section (I personally find that for domestic purposes, the Trivial Pursuit system works better than Dewey), I suddenly had a little epiphany: all the books we own, both read and unread, are the fullest expression of self we have at our disposal. My music is me, too, of course--but as I only really like rock and rolls and its mutations, huge chunks of me--my rarely examined operatic streak, for example--are unrepresented in my CD collection. And I don't have wall space or the money for all the art I would want, and my house is a shabby mess, ruined by children... But with each passing year, and with each whimsical purchase, our libraries become more and more able to articulate who we are, whether we read the books or not. Maybe that's not worth the thirty-odd quid I blew on those collections of letters, admittedly, but it's got to be worth something, right?

And no surprise, this triggered another Hornby line, this time from High Fidelity:

I agreed that what really matters is what you like, not what you are like... Books, records, films - these things matter. Call me shallow but it's the fuckin' truth, and by this measure I was having one of the best dates of my life.

And so it is.

I can't help it. Books are functional art. They create cozy spaces. They are instant reference. And, best (most sadly?) of all, they make me feel good. I rarely read things that truly connect at a gutteral level (I read a lot of non-fiction which I connect to, often, at an ideological level) so when I came across this quote I had to share it. Perhaps it will catalyze others admitting they have a problem, too.

Oh and by the way Sis, your borrowed book is in the mail.

100 Posts, Alex Steffen, and New Look

2010-06-10T22:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I was going to do something all wild and crazy for the 100th post. But you know what? I don't like pageantry. It's too showy and arrogant. I'm modest, priding myself on control and humility. Those features make me a rich, interesting character. Not ostentation or pretension. Certainly not.

Plus this is post #104.

I'm a slacker.

But, in minor commemoration for keeping a blog for 100+ posts of business, I changed the layout once again. It's a template and I think I like it. I will probably end up changing it again...in fact, I may change platforms entirely. I would like something a bit more malleable. Blogger seems a bit rigid for my liking.

What's happened in a 100 posts? Let's take a tour.

Post #1 was a review of Burn After Reading. I thought this blog would be a mainly movie-review site. Turns out I'm far too lazy for that effort. Sidenote: prior to Burn After Reading coming out, I thought the title was Burn After REDDING. Sounds like the town in Pennsylvania, or western-PA slang, or to make something more red. Redding.

How do people access the blog? Well, the most common search term is "Tuba Gooding Jr" in reference to the post where Tuba Gooding Jr., of The Roots, checks out Serena Williams's ass. This is the most viewed page on the blog. The second most viewed (and second most common search term) is the recipe for Oatmeal Applesauce Blueberry Muffins.

My blog is the top search in Google (duh) but not Bing (duh).

Since I started tracking visits in early 2009, I have had 2,653 visits by 1,344 unique visitors. PA has the most visits (what what!), followed by NY and then, trailing only by 4, is WA.

I plan to keep this mother going for a bit longer. I still envision a dedicated Arts Blog with collaborators from my friends. Kind of like an Onion A/V Club thing. Anyone want to do this? Contribute? Write? Be snarky? Come on... Keep in mind, you must cede all creative control.

In the meantime I will continue pushing my own lefty agenda: listen to this talk by Alex Steffen, which I referenced here, and your life will improve greatly. In bed.

Seriously though. If you glean any sort of joy in reading about the banalities surrounding and invading my life, thank you. Wait, why are you still here? You were supposed to go listen to Alex Steffen. GO NOW!!!

Weather and Josh Groban

2010-06-09T17:57:00.000-07:00

Who do you look like? Besides your mom, dad, or sibling? Apparently I look like some hydra-beast of Nicholas Cage, David Schwimmer ("Rossssss!!!" they would scream in college; I ate it up because, you know, Ross got Jennifer Aniston), and more recently, Josh Groban. Now, the Groban thing happened for the first time this past winter. I made a post-menopausal woman blush. The Nicholas Cage thing happened 4 times in one night in Boston. "Oh my god, you look like Nicholas Cage, has anyone ever said that." Because I was tired of it at this point and I wasn't entirely sure if it was even a compliment (editor's note: my #1 editor, my mom, corrected me on the right usage of compliment. thanks, mom): "No, you're the first," and I would turn away.

Such is the plight of an average looking guy.

Onto some motherfucking sunshine. It was an awful May and June hasn't been much better. Relief is in the air, hopefully, with weather in the 80s for this weekend. Seriously, it's been rough. You east coasters can complain about the heat and the humidity but I will take a few days of your skank, sweat-inducing temperatures if only we could get some consistent sunshine. Now, now, I know what you're saying:

"But you always say that the weather isn't as bad as it's made out to be."

For the most part, no, it's not. But, it's been somewhat abnormally rainy and cold. Historically, June is a pretty crappy month.

Coming highlights to welcome this sun? The World Cup (!), a SIFF movie, Washington Brewers Fest, start of an econ class, and a visit by a fellow east coaster.

I don't care if someone says I look like Rosie O'Donnell, ain't no one bringing me down from a sunshine high.

Well, maybe Rosie O'Donnell, but definitely not Steve Buscemi. That's a fact!

Quickly...

2010-06-05T00:09:00.000-07:00

I recently started a p/t job at a low-income housing group, here in Seattle. It's good.
Attended my first soccer game the other week. Good times. Sounders 3 - 0 Boca Jrs.
I visited Vancouver for the first time and ate poutine (with bacon, mushrooms, onions, and peppers). "Why you boys going to Canada?" "Ahhh, uhhh, we are going to Canada for some french fries and gravy, sir." (slight sniff) " pouTine."
Scooter visited and we watched Super Troopers. This is the second time in a month and it is still fantastic.
I can eat my hair
I finished my certificate program (just busted out a huge paper on working toward lower cost sustainable transportation, mainly focused on social media, bottom-up engagement/involvement, and Seattle ideals). Economics class at a community college in the summer and then grad school in the fall (gasp!)
I only eat my hair if I'm riding the bus
Because I got a very cheap bus pass through work!
Favorite music right now: Tame Impala / Innerspeakers; Do Make Say Think / Other Truths; Yeasayer / Odd Blood / Various Telefon Tel Aviv / Pantha du Prince / Black Noise;/ Morning Benders / Big Echo; The Radio Dept / Clinging to a Scheme. Yeah, I read pitchfork. Shut up.
Currently drinking a Great Divide Colette (farmhouse ale)
I just watched Old Joy again. It's a little movie by Kelly Reichert with lots of pretty birds and some good interactions. One of my all-time favorite interactions: Meryl Streep and Robert De Niro in The Deer Hunter. They are talking in the trailer and it's the one of the purest things I've ever seen.
The World Cup is imminent and it excites me.
Had some great wines last weekend. If I had the money, wine is something I could get into. More of a story in the smells and taste than beer.
I've now read the screenplay to Sideways, read the novel, and watched the movie.
In fact, it's in the DVD player.

friend's world cup blog

2010-06-04T23:58:00.000-07:00

www.nileguide.com/destination/blog/cape-town/2010/06/05/predictions-part-i/

Read it and leave rude comments!

Maybe I should just get on tumblr.

it almost hurts how beautiful some of these are

2010-06-04T23:54:00.001-07:00

it's worth it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/expeditions/

Paints and Words

2010-05-19T21:45:00.001-07:00

To feel myself , fully
That is what I want
For every day it’s the same
And every night remains plainly
Repetitive
With vigor, the sun comes up and I do not
The moon, as he slumbers, hold onto my ambition
He says he won’t let go until it’s time
And so it’s time
The sun escapes, again, the moon appears, again
Repetitively, I am duped into believing
That, for once, things will work out
But the moon is too slick for me to grasp
And the sun is too fleeting for me to ask
When will the cycle cease?
When will the moon become the sun?

They say once it gets cold
It will not get warm again
Until at least May
When the birds will return and sing
I hope the birds
Don’t forget their song
For I can’t wait for this winter to pass.

State of the Blog

2010-05-14T22:12:00.000-07:00

I know there aren't many people that read this. But...

For the dedicated few I am curious what you like to see on here. I understand this is entirely self-serving, me asking you. Wait. No it isn't at all. You are being selfish for only considering yourself. I always knew you were kind of douchey like that. No worries though. I can still be friends with you. But only digitally.

Do you like pictures?
Do you like recipes?
Do you like when I call you a douche?
Do you like beer topics?
Do you like random internet finds?
Do you like movie talk?
Do you like music talk?

Should I post more often?

Do you access the blog through a reader?

If you don't feel like writing a comment (you won't, will you douche?) you can answer using the easy poll on the right. Do it. Do it now.

United Lost and Found; Facebook Monetization; Spokeo

2010-05-12T22:44:00.000-07:00

Three things:

1) If you lose your camera on a flight from Chicago to Akron you will have to make 17 phone calls before getting the actual lost and found number. Upon calling that number you will actually call a private resident. A resident who has been getting calls regarding lost baggage for five years. Five years United has been giving out the wrong number. Keep in mind, this is a hypothetical you.

2) I was recently offered a temp job working for a "tech-savvy company" populated by "young people 18-45" in a nice Pioneer Square office. Sounds alright, right? The job was part-time and required making not-cold-calls to Facebook users who responded 'Yes' to those little polls on the right column in Facebook (you know, "If Starbucks was giving away free coffee from 4-6, would you attend?"). I guess this company was contracted by some car insurance company to help substantiate the leads gleaned by Facebook. I would call all users who marked 'Yes' to a specific question. If the user was indeed interested in a lower car insurance rate I would mark 'Yes' in a database. If not, I would mark 'No.' Apparently that's all I would do for 8 hours day. Call. Tick. Call. Tick. Call. Tick. Call. Call. Tick. While it's no surprise to see our social life being monetized, this potential job provided some insight into the bigger picture: tangible proof of companies using our Facebook information, paid by other companies, to help reach new customers.

3) Speaking of social media, check out spokeo.com. It's a site that amalgamates publicly available information from social websites. Apparently I enjoy luxury goods. The internet knows more about me than I know about myself. Shit gets real. Hold on to your butts.

Images

2010-05-11T21:39:00.000-07:00

Thai Curry Cauliflower

2010-05-04T09:59:00.000-07:00

This recipe is what happens when the Curry with Potatoes, Cauliflower, Peas and Garbanzos gets it on with a Trader Joe's Red Curry Sauce/Potatoes/Chickpeas/Peas concoction.

Recently, we've been making a quick and easy curry-esque-thing using a can of tomatoes, a jar of curry sauce from Trader Joes, onion, garlic, chickpeas, and baby potatoes. But the sauce is kind of processed and doesn't taste as fresh like if you made it yourself.

Enter the Thai Curry Cauliflower, adapted from Cook's Illustrated. I changed quite a few of the quantities/ingredients and added potatoes and chickpeas because a curry without is a curry lacking.

Sauce:

3 T soy sauce
Juice and zest from one lime
1 T light brown sugar
1 t crushed red pepper flakes

Cauliflower:

1 c coconut milk
3 t red curry paste
1 T plus 1 t peanut oil (plus one more t of oil)
1 head of cauliflower, cut into smallish florets
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 inch piece fresh ginger, grated/minced
9 oz snow peas
2-4 T minced basil

Potatoes:

1 lb fingerling or baby potatoes, chopped into 3/4" squares
2 t peanut oil
curry powder
garlic powder
ginger powder
salt

Rice (same rice from African Pineapple Peanut Stew with Coconut Rice)

1 1/4 c water
1 c basmati rice
1/2 c coconut milk
1/2 t tumeric
1/4 t salt
dash of cinnamon
1 dried chile

Can of chickpeas.

Lots of ingredients but many are cheap and are staples.

Make sauce: combine all sauce components, mix, allow sugar to dissolve. Add in the coconut milk and curry paste. Set aside.

Make potatoes: mix potatoes with 1 t peanut oil, and spices. Add 1 t peanut oil to hot wok or frying pan. Allow oil to shimmer. Add potatoes and stir almost constantly. Remove when they start to develop a little crust and begin to blacken. They should be almost fully cooked by now. If they're not totally cooked, they will finish when added to the cauliflower.

Make cauliflower: heat 1 T plus 1 t peanut oil on high heat in large skillet. When heated, add cauliflower and cook, stirring constantly, until cauliflower begins to brown. Make a hole in the center of the skillet. Add garlic, ginger, and 1 t peanut oil. Mix until fragrant. Reduce heat to medium/medium-high. Add curry sauce, can of chickpeas, potatoes. Mix until simmering, continue to simmer another 2 minutes. Add snow peas. Cook about 3 minutes more, until cauliflower is crisp-tender. Turn off heat. Add basil.

Serve over rice. Remember, you made the rice like this, right? Bring water to boil. Add rice and everything else but the chile. Return to boil, simmer 15 minutes. Add chile. Fluff and serve.

It was really fresh tasting and the snow peas were nice and bright. The potatoes had nice depth as they were cooked and spiced before swimming with the cauliflower. I don't think I'll go back to the Trader Joe's curry sauce again. This is a keeper.

No picture. I will try to get a picture when I eat the leftovers.

African Pineapple Peanut Stew with Coconut Rice

2010-04-18T22:40:00.000-07:00

Fifty percent of my house is vegetarian but we eat vegetarian 100% of the time. We have our staples, our go to reciples. Tried and true. It's like the fast-food of homecooking; we know what to expect, no surprise. And we don't really mind.

But a time comes when you need to venture out and find more recipes. More interesting flavors.

This one isn't exactly palate challenging but the flavors in this recipe are some the favorites we seek out in other dishes (coconut in Thai curries, peanut sauce in sauces, and pineapple in just about anything). Combining them in such a way that somehow involves a bunch of kale and you're left with, ostensibly, our dream meal.

This recipe comes from the Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home (the Moosewood is a vegetarian [though I think they have fish] restaurant coop in Ithaca, NY...you hippie, upper-crust crazies!).

The rice was a separate recipe but seemed to go with well with the pineapple peanut combo.

Stew:

1 cup chopped onion
4 garlic cloves
1 T veg oil
1 bunch kale or swiss chard, sliced
1 20oz can crushed pineapple
1/2 c peanut butter
1 T hot sauce
1/2 c cilanto
salt
crushed peanuts to top

Saute onion and garlic for about 10 minutes, until onion begins to brown.

Add pineapple with juice, stir, bring to simmer.

Mix in kale, simmer 5 minutes.

Mix in peanut butter, hot sauce, cilantro. Simmer 5 minutes. Salt to taste.

Rice:

1 1/4 c water
1 c basmati rice
1/2 c coconut milk
1/2 t tumeric
1/4 t salt
dash of cinnamon
1 dried chile

Bring water to boil. Add rice and everything else but the chile.

Return to boil, simmer 15 minutes. Add chile. Fluff and serve.

It's a nice change of pace from the burritos, curries, and pastas we make so often. A nice addition to the repertoire.

What Would I Want? Sky

2010-04-18T22:21:00.000-07:00

What Would I Want? Sky - Anima...

This is one my favorite songs right now. The music. Lyrics. Change in tempo. Amazing. ('What Would I Want? Sky' by Animal Collective)

Is everything alright?
You feeling moany?
You feeling lonely?
You're not the only

Is everything alright?
You feeling stormy?
You feeling phoney?
You're not the only

Do you get up up up?
Clouds stop and move above me
Too bad they can't help me
What is the right way?

Do I float up up up?
When I stop and look around me
Grey is where the color should be
What is the right way?

Old glasses clinking and a
New order's blinking
And I -
I should be floating but I'm weighted by thinking

That I got on the river
Really can't make you change
And the sky gets filled up too fast
And the taxi man's saying, "You betta
Give me some money; stop daydreaming, dude!"
When the point of horizon is hiding from you
What would you want sky?

Are you taking it lightly?
Lost in the flurries
You start to worry
You will be buried
Taking it lightly
And so I hurry
I start to worry
Here come them flurries

Is everything alright?
You feeling lonely?
You feeling moldy?
You're not the only

Is everything alright?
You feeling stormy?
You feeling foamy?
You're not the only

Do you get up up up?
Clouds stop and move above me
Too bad they can't help me
What is the right way?

Do I float up up up?
When I stop and look around me
Grey is where that color should be
What is the right way?

Old glasses clinking and a
New order's blinking and I -
I should be floating but I'm weighted by thinking

I'm a fly on the river
That'll make me some change
When the sky gets filled up too fast
And the taxi cab's waiting, "You betta
Give him some money;
Stop daydreaming, dude!"
When the point of horizon is hiding it's blues
What would you want sky?

What would I want? Sky!

What would I want? Sky!

Grad School, Deleted Scenes Edition

2010-03-25T21:47:00.000-07:00

A week ago I received a letter in the mail explaining that I had been accepted into the University of Washington Master of Urban Planning Program. Sparing the details, this was one of the prouder accomplishments of the past....of the past several years. I worked rather hard at this and feel validated for actually meeting my goal. God, I sound so middle management.

I start in the summer or fall; haven't decided.

The application required many standard components. One of which was an optional Personal History Statement which I ended up not using. I wrote one but it wasn't fully realized and I wasn't confident submitting it as part of my overall application package. So, here it is, without edits. It's not terribly interesting stuff (one reason I didn't use it because I thought it was too emotional) but it might be interesting if you didn't already know this about me.

That's what blogs are for, right?

***
By all accounts my life has been ordinary. Growing up in Pennsylvania. Going to college. Moving to the other coast. Pretty standard fare. It’s easy to gloss these things over and think they have done little to shape who I am. But, closer inspection proves these banalities to be vital to my personal character and history.

My childhood was bucolic yet chaotic, both economically and culturally. While my grandparents wintered in Florida, my family would leave our rented house for six months and live in my grandparent’s house. We would turn off the heat, gather only our most needed possessions, and go the one mile over the hill to live for the winter. Maybe once a winter we would go back to our house and retrieve some needed item. We did this for 12 years. Half a year in one house, half a year in the other. It was perplexing packing up and shutting down our house. Because no one watched after our house during the winter, why did we have to watch my grandparent’s?

When the weather warmed and my grandparent’s returned, my family opened up our house. We rented an old farmhouse from an Amish family who owned the property. They often babysat us while my dad grew flowers and my mom worked at the veterinary clinic. Our neighbors weren’t just babysitters but friends. I would often tell my friends at school about my Amish friends and I would be met with such surprise. Though my school was surrounded by Amish communities, no one experienced a culture so different than the homogenous population that filled my school. I thought it was bizarre that they thought my interactions were bizarre.

Turning eleven saw the eviction from our farmhouse. Our neighbors had family that was moving on to the property, building a new home, and needed use to leave to free up space on the septic system. Being young, I wasn’t privy to many of the details but it was upsetting knowing I had to leave the pastures and creeks that I spent so much time playing in. We moved in with my grandparents for the whole year. My father’s greenhouse business, which he had built on my grandparent’s land, his inlaw’s, property was finally starting to take off. Years of hard work were proving profitable. During this time I saw my grandparents more than my parents. My dad was busy with the greenhouses and my mom busy with work at the clinic. After my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer and passed away shortly thereafter, it was determined that the property was too much for my grandfather to hold onto and too expensive for my family to buy. After three years we were searching for another home. Being a teenager, I was more aware of the family conflict and discussions that happened on the porch. If I saw my parents sitting with my grandparents at that glass table, I knew I had no business being there. No one was smiling when they were on the porch.

We moved to a friend’s recently deceased grandmother’s house. We were three months before settling to where my parent’s currently reside. It was always a strange mixing of worlds between home and school. Maintaining calmness, in light of personal turmoil, in front of other kids who seemed without any care was a strange sensation. I immersed myself in outdoor activities, in band, Boy Scouts, tennis, and golf. I was fortunate to have the support of my parents, despite their limited financial support, in being able travel with Boy Scouts, to push myself with new sports, to go to college.

Not going to college was never an option. Though my father never graduated from college and my mother has an associates from a tiny agriculture school in the Catskills, I was surrounded by extended family who not only received their bachelors but a masters or PhD as well. A total of six extended family members went to Penn State so I was engrained with the idea of Penn State at a very young age. After high school, I attended Penn State Erie in extreme northwest Pennsylvania. Sitting on the shores of Lake Erie, the college was set in a town of about 100,000 but was distinctly isolated from the major regions of Cleveland, Buffalo, or Pittsburgh. After a few years, I transferred to Penn State University Park where I finished my degree.

I loved the college town atmosphere, the academic resources, and the most diverse group of people I had ever been around. Despite this, I knew I had to study abroad. I chose to study in Leiden in The Netherlands for six months. I knew nobody over there, didn’t speak the language, and really didn’t know what to expect. I touched down, carried my two heavy bags to a train, went south for 30 minutes, and disembarked in the town I was going to live in for six months. Never have I experienced a sense of such immense excitement and smallness than when I emerged from the train station looking for the housing office to pick up my key for my room. I had no cash, just traveler’s checks, which was an issue. With no cash I couldn’t get the key. The currency exchange was closed and I had no place to stay. My heavy bags just got heavier. Fortunately, after providing proof of trustworthiness and surrendering my passport as collateral, she gave me the key and I had a roof over my head.

After putting myself through college, after working for a number of years, I made the move to Seattle. A move that was deep in my brain and probably would have never surfaced if not for fortunate circumstances. Here I am. Feeling more settled, more rooted than other times in my life. Ready to challenge myself again.

Despite all the moving around, economic uncertainty, and social peculiarities, I feel especially broad in perspective. I am patient and ready to hear other ideas, even if they seem out of context, for there is usually a reason. A childhood of movement and uncertainty created a calmness and fairness that I feel fortunate to possess.

Nuggets of Whatever

2010-03-11T00:59:00.000-08:00

Glass Deers (Farewell Show 2008) from Braids Music on Vimeo.

http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13979-broken-bells/

Nobody Beats The Drum - Grindin' from nobody beats the drum on Vimeo.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1213731-worlds_greatest_dad/

The Juan MacLean - Happy House (Live @ The Double Door) from The Belmont Sessions on Vimeo.

http://www.sceneunseenpodcast.com/

http://www.myspace.com/deloreandanz

Top Movies of the Oughts

2010-03-05T00:17:00.000-08:00

Listen. It's the oughts. What else would it be? The fucking zeros? Of course not. Why have this silly discussion?

Now that we have that out of the way, let's get down to business. I saw more movies this decade than any other (I think). The 80s? Fuck them. The 90s? Them too. It's the oughts and that's what matters. I liked a lot of movies. I didn't love a lot...love is becoming hard to come by in the movie world. In fact, I don't know if I'm capable of loving a movie.

There really isn't a single thread that runs through these movies. Except: nearly every movie has an ending that is an ending, often wrapping up a theme while leaving room for further interpretation; I think endings are really underrated. Whether it's words, an image, a song, an ending doesn't merely summarize a film (though, the final scene can often encapsulate a film) but continues to propel the story forward even as the credits roll.

One other common theme: they are all really well-made. And the endings are all appropriate. Endings are very underrated. I was going to write more about each of these but am not too lazy. Forgive me?

9. Syriana
Because this discrete world, our world, seems familiar and unfathomable

8. Bourne Supremacy
Because, beneath the sheen, is a genuinely great action movie (best ever?)

7. The Squid and the Whale
Because not a note rings false, depicting struggle and acceptance of it

6. Before Sunset
Because two people talking, in real time, never, ever drags

5. High Fidelity
Because this movie got me through 2000-2004

4. The New World
Because its the only perfect movie of the decade

3. Inglourious Basterds
Because Tarantino murdered Hitler.

2. No Country for Old Me
Because there is essentially no music. Because of its languid yet taut pacing. Because of Friendo.

1. There Will Be Blood
Because Paul Thomas Anderson's sprawling creativity was not stifled.

There were many other great movies this decade. Including, in no particular order (though Wonder Boys is essentially number 10):

Wonder Boys
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Munich
Y Tu Mama Tambien
Kung Fu Hustle
Apocalypto
Requiem for a Dream
Match Point
Superbad
Paris Je'Taime
Away from Her
Insomnia
Casino Royale
Super Troopers
Donnie Darko
Closer
Children of Men
Shaun of the Dead
Rescue Dawn
Traffic
Elephant/Paranoid Park
Dark Knight
Lost in Translation
Moulin Rouge
28 Days Later
One Hour Photo
Michael Clayton
3-Iron
Junebug
Adventureland
Burn After Reading
Inside Man
Ocean's Eleven
City of God

Not: Juno, Eternal Sunshine, Little Miss Sunshine. However, Juno is in a class of its own. It's far and away the worst of these three. I like the other two but believe they are overrated.

What are your favorites of the decade? Least favorite? Leave comments below. Seriously. I want to know. Quite possibly more than any other thing. I NEED to know.

Granola Bar Recipe

2010-03-04T09:31:00.000-08:00

I adapted this recipe from Smitten Kitchen. The original recipe was a bit too fatty and sweet for my liking (I cut down on butter, erased corn syrup from the recipe, added more vanilla, and grape juice). I figured the grape juice and additional honey/maple syrup would replace the corn syrup and help replace the butter. It seemed to work.

What you need:

1 2/3 cups rolled oats
1/3 cup granulated sugar (I used pure cane sugar)
1/3 cup oat flour
1/2 t salt
1/2 t cinnamon
2-3 c dried fruit and nuts, pulsed in a food processor until broken down a bit
1/3 c nut butter (I used PB)
2 t vanilla extract
3 T melted butter
1/3 c honey and maple syrup (roughly split down the middle in terms of quantities)
1 T water
2 T white grape juice (or other sweet juice)

I never made the original recipe ingredient-for-ingredient. So, this recipe seems flexible. Replace what you have/don't like with what's available/what you like. I still don't like the idea of 3 T of butter but spread out through the whole batch, it's not horrific.

As for nuts and fruits, I used the following: almonds, hazelnuts, dried cranberries, dried sour cherries, pineapple, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds. That's what I like. Anything goes.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line an 8" x 8" pan with wax paper and spray with cooking spray; this will make it easier for the bars to come out in the end. Next time, I might actually use a slightly larger pan to make the bars a little thinner. If you use a larger pan, you'll probably want to keep a closer eye on them while in the oven.

So, mix all your dry ingredients, including fruit and nuts.

In another bowl, mix vanilla, butter, water, grape juice, honey, maple syrup.

Stir wet ingredients into dry. Add nut butter (I melted mine slightly in the microwave to encourage mixing).

Empty into pan and press flat, evenly.

Bake for 30-40 minutes, until sides get golden brown. I let mine go longer (until the top was nice and golden) because I like them crisper.

Let cool completely, put in fridge for 30 minutes, then cut. Cut carefully as they may crumble.

Avatar

2010-03-03T21:32:00.000-08:00

It has made $709,304,322 in the United States. $2,548,304,322 worldwide. That's 10 digits of gross. Insane.

Needless to say, Avatar was an event. Quite possibly an event unseen since Star Wars. Titanic was an event but a different type of event. Really, no one had to be ashamed of seeing Avatar. Telling my 10th grade friends that I had seen Titanic? Bad idea.

Well, I finally saw Avatar. Being that it is, most likely, the last week in the IMAX 3D format, as Alice in Wonderland is steaming on in, I figured it was time. No surprises, a trailer for Alice was shown before Avatar. I didn't want to see it because of what Tim Burton did to Willy Wonka. That and the original Disney cartoon holds a special place in my consciousness. That said, Alice in 3D? I'll be there.

ANYWAY....

Avatar is a difficult read. It was an amazing experience. Note I use experience and not film. From the minute it started I was hooked; the world, the atmosphere, the 3D. So immersive. So different than any other film I've seen in the theater. There were times where I felt I was literally in the Pandora world.

Avatar takes itself very seriously. There is absolutely no humor and very little whimsy in this movie (though, there were some laughable lines that caused me to chuckle). I think this helps create this immersive world. It's so grounded, and so dedicated to not disturb the feeling that Pandora has swallowed you. Even Giovanni Ribissi's character, who could easily be used as comic relief, largely plays it straight as the money-hungry corporate representative.

The story announces itself during the 15 minutes. There is absolutely no surprise in the entire movie (except, possibly, for one death). That said, it's crazy, and astonishing, that a movie so predictable could hold my interest for almost 3 hours. What a strange sentiment? Am I getting dumb?

Now, this angle seems to be the route that many reviews have taken. They talk about the experience; the story is considered but is largely and afterthought. Why has this movie fundamentally shifted they way we think about a movie? A chasm do deep exists between the technical prowess of the film and the story that I can't help but think that movies, and how we think about them, will forever be altered.

To reiterate what has been iterated a million times already: this is a game-changer.

This movie could quite possibly change the way we consume movies. I can't imagine seeing this on DVD on my 32" TV. A multi-story IMAX in 3D can't be reconstructed in my living room (yet). Beyond the viewing experience, Avatar is going to force any other subsequent 3D and CG film to at least attempt to come to its level. In the immediate future, this will prove to be futile. Many films will try but be too overt in its technology causing failure. I don't think the technology used in Avatar is the new norm.

That said, Avatar isn't the new Matrix. The Matrix use of technology was so overt that any subsequent film was simply pandering or exploiting. Avatar's use of technology seems amazingly restrained to the viewer (though, in practice this can't and isn't the case). The simple story never takes the viewer out of the film; perhaps that was intentional as to allow the technology to fully take over, perhaps it was lazy, perhaps Cameron can't write for shit. Avatar wannabes won't employ the subtlety and grandiosity that Avatar oozes.

Does this movie deserve to be seen? Absolutely. See it in the theater, in IMAX, in 3D, before it's gone. Is it worthy of a Best Picture Oscar? No. That should go to Inglourious Basterds.

Does Cameron deserve the Best Director Oscar?

He's not ready to relinquish being King of the Motherfucking World.

Top Movies of the Oughts: Preview

2010-02-19T22:52:00.000-08:00

How pompous am I? A preview on a blog that three people read a day? A new low, John. A new low.

Whatever, gotta drum up me some readership.

I'm still writing about my favorite movies of the decade, yet I have the top 9 selected. I guess it's kind of dumb to show what they are; no one will read the follow-up. Let's face it. No one cares about analysis, words. Only the immediate.

So, in an effort to acquiesce to the needs of society, here is the immediate; my favorite 9 movies of 2000-2009. Pictures only.

Full text will be up by the end of next week.

Oh. My. God.

2010-02-12T14:55:00.001-08:00

(wait, there isn't one)

What Do I Do Online?

2010-02-11T21:50:00.000-08:00

Nebby nose. Well, I guess I'll tell you.

I think I'm addicted to the internet. I compulsively check various sites throughout the day. God knows why, but it might be entertaining to share what I peruse. This why Al Gore created the internet, right? To tell people you know/don't know stupid shit? Right? Guys?

These are my most-visited sites:

1. Facebook (way too much)
2. Gmail (duh)
3. PSU Department of Geography (for nostalgia and general snooping)
4. CNN (I don't know why I bother. CNN is pretty horrendous)
5. Sports Illustrated (I really only like the power rankings)
6. Pitchfork (music snobbery)
7. The Daily Collegian (gotta keep up, even if they don't)
8. Craigslist
9. Google Maps (must. know. where. i. am. at. all. times.)
10. Beer Advocate (snobbery)
11. Yahoo
12. Chakdrum
13. Filmspotting (best movie podcast online)
14. New York Times
15. Accuweather (Jim Kosek, my hero)
16. ESPN
17. UW Jobs (home of 25 job applications and not a single interview!)
18. Iso Hunt (to, *cough,* access legal music)
19. Amazon
20. Planetizen (planning headlines)
21. Seattle Times
22. Rotten Tomatoes (movie shite)
23. Free Williamsburg (internet culture, music culture, junk culture)
24. Wikipedia
25. Hulu
26. Metacritic (snobbery)
27. Gamespot
28. IGN (games)
29. Seattle Public Library
30. NPR
31. Slate
32. Dictionary.com
33. The Onion AV Club
34. Seven Nites (happy hour guide to Seattle)
35. Brooklyn Vegan (music)
36. Twitter
37. Seattle Beer Blog
38. All Top (stupid blog bookmark thing that I don't understand)
39. Google Analytics
40. Washington Beer Blog
41. Verizon Wireless
42. This American Life story I've yet to listen to
43. BECU (my bank)
44. Tuneup Media (cleans up mp3 tags)
45. Slate Video
46.Yelp
47. Vimeo (qual-it-tay)
48. Seattle Transit Blog
49. YouTube
50. Frisbee Golf (badass)
51. Telegraph Article I've yet to read
52. Frontline
53. Muddled Perception

Easy to access so I access the shit out of them. You don't even want to see my bookmarks folder. Out of control. I realize this is rather dorky that I am posting this, the fact that it's even a thought. But, given how much time I waste in front of this 20" screen I should probably, you know, not piss it off. It's the giver of life, right? Guys?

Another time I will highlight less-visited but probably more awesome sites that I visit on occasion . Hold on to your butts.

What's going on?

2010-02-06T23:47:00.000-08:00

My face is going on (that's a mullet!)

This is just a little update on trivial things going on here in the 206.

I had an interview at a respected beer shop last week. I was pumped and not really nervous for this interview. I walked the 1.5 miles, showed up mad early, and then walked some more until 8 minutes before the interview was to start; 8 minutes being not too early and obviously not late.

I had three questions: (1) what is the difference between and ale and a lager, (2) what is the difference between a porter and a stout, and (3) what is a saison.

Sadly, I bombed. I always forget wheter ale has top-fermenting yeast or bottom-fermenting. Basically, I said that ales are fermented at higher temperatures and use bottom-fermenting yeast and lagers use top-fermenting yeast and ferment at colder temps. I should know the difference but I don't. I could have described styles and such but I froze.

Porter and stout? Froze again. I mean, I can identify brands, ABV, types of, but I was searching for more technical differences between the two and I couldn't verbalize it.

Saison? Basicailly, I just said it's a french farmhouse ale that is usually between 5-7% and rather dry.

They also asked me about favorite styles, least favorite, how I would help customers, etc. Needless to say, I didn't get the job. I don't know why I froze the way I did. If I was sitting with friends discussing beer I would have been way more articulate and knowledgeable than I was during the interview. Oh well. Se la vie.

To combat my inability to procure a job at a booze store, I was offered more Census work. I start in a few weeks and might be a Crew Leader which means pay raise! Giddy. In the meantime, I can still collect unemployment while awaiting training.

I applied to graduate school last weekend. Master of Urban Planning at the University of Washington. GREs were taken in early January (scores were considerably better than my previous attempt), references in at the last minute, Statement of Purpose adequate. Just have to wait until April for a decision.

Wedding planning trudges on. It's difficult planning this affair from Seattle. Phone calls, emails, indecision on vendors. It's frustrating but we have a venue, food, Kirsty has a dress, we've talked to bartenders and equipmental rental folks. Photographer and DJ (and flowers) are critical missing pieces.

I've been playing raquetball every Thursday and have been going to the gym twice a week. It's a welcome change. I ride my bike to Capitol Hill (~5 miles) for the gym which means a nice little warmup before hitting the weights. This is the first time lifting weights since going with Hess and Repo Depot back when we lived in the dorms (2002-2003). Those were always good times. Repo, so ridiculous.

We've been eating some good food recently (good local pub, pizza, Indian joint next door). As a result, I've stared Yelping (http://jwm232.yelp.com). My goal is to become an Elite Member for 2011. I don't know what this means really. Exclusive parties? Cupcakes?

What else?

Oh, I have a new update to Blogger which doesn't have spellcheck. So if there are blatant spelling mistakes, blam Blogger, not Muddleds Perceptionn.

I hope Inglourious Basterds win Best Picture at the Oscars. I've yet to see The Hurt Locker or Avatar but I'm guessing that Basterds is better than both.

I think that's it. So long. So boring. So typical.

You Know What Sucks?

2010-02-04T10:31:00.000-08:00

Baseball cards.

I used to be really into baseball cards. Looking over my collection of 10,000 cards I wonder where I got the money to buy these. Granted, a lot of collecting was done through trading (everyone had baseball cards; if you were a boy and didn't have baseball cards we probably weren't friends). Still. I bought a lot. A LOT.

I have tons of Fleer/Donruss/Topps/Upper Deck/Score. There were some Bowman (god, they always sucked), some Pinnacle (these were nice cards when they came out), Collector's Choice, random O-Pee-Chee (these were somehow worse than Bowman), Leaf. Back in the early 90s players like Mike Piazza, Tim Salmon, Matt Williams, Trot Nixon, Phil Plantier, and Juan Gonzalez were expected to be the next big players so I sought them out and they always were good fodder in trades for the bigger players. But something happened to these players. They didn't become the next big thing.

The highest valued cards then were Ken Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas. Surprisingly, in my circle, Juan Gonzalez was a close third. Who knew? Looking through my collection yields a lot of these players, especially Griffey and Thomas, along with Cal Ripken, Tony Gwynn, Dave Winfield, George Brett, Ryne Sandberg, Carl Yaz, Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire, Robin Yount, Will Clark (!), Steve Carlton.

But the player that dominated my collection? Don 'Donnie Baseball' Mattingly. My friend collected Nolan Ryan, I Don Mattingly. We would invest in feverish trades, sometimes 4-1 trades just to get a card we didn't have. I have about 125 Mattingly cards. I have two of his Rookie cards, Topps (x 2), and Fleer, but not the coveted Donruss. Back in the day, the value for each of these cards, respectively, was $20, $40, $60. A nice, neat incremental package. Now looking on eBay yields prices of $5-10. Fuck my life.

This is where my Yankees fandom came from, long before their late 90's dominance. In fact, the Yanks rarely made the playoffs with Mattingly on the team. The year after he retired? World Series champions (interesting little read on Wikipedia about the Mattingly Era). I was awarded much derision during the 90s when I claimed to be a Yankees fan. They, after years of slumber, finally were good and winning championships. Mattingly was always my scapegoat. "No, no you see. I've been a fan for a long time. I liked Mattingly." "Oh" (squints eyes, looks slightly left, then right, racking brain, wondering why anyone would singly out Mattingly as their favorite player, looks right while cocking head right, then nods in approval, realizing that Mattingly is the most likable guy in baseball), "Nice."

My dad always told stories about the Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, and Willie Mays cards he had. He HAD. They met the familiar demise of millions of other cards around the country: my housewife grandmother, so the story goes, seeing no value in the cards threw them out. Mantle was my idol, both in baseball and baseball cards. His '52 Topps card in mint condition consistently was valued at $50,000 in Beckett Monthly, my bible. I imagined my Mattingly cards, held onto for 40 years, would do the same (albeit more proportionately...Mattingly aint no Mantle). At the least, I had a solid investment going.

Now, the market for baseball cards is non-existent. This could turn around. I don't regret spending all the time and money on cards. It was what I truly enjoyed doing. I just wish they at least retained their value. I also wish I had gotten my hands on that 1989 Upper Deck Griffey card and the '90 Topps Frank Thomas NNOF (no name on front); hands down, these were the most sought after cards when I was trading.

I always wished to pass my collection on to my offspring ("I don't care if you like dolls, YOU ARE TAKING MY GODDAMN BASEBALL CARDS!"). But, if before that time, there is ever a fire that can somehow leapfrog to all houses that contain baseball cards, thereby destroying and only destroying the baseball cards, I will hold a distinct market advantage. I will laugh. Then I will sell.

Favorite 8 Beers from 2009

2010-01-30T16:10:00.000-08:00

A full year in the Pacific Northwest. A year's worth of rain. Of struggling to find a job. Of drinking great beer. I've actually been underwhelmed by the quality of beer here in the PacNW. However, what it lacks in quality makes up for in quantity. There are, I think, at least 20 breweries in Seattle. That doesn't even count the breweries in the greater Seattle metro. Every bar you go into is well-represented with Washington beers that are above and beyond the quality of any shit you'd find in some Central PA bar (Zeno's aside...and a few others). Because there are so many beers from so many breweries every bar has a varied lineup. For that, Washington, I thank you.

All these choices yielded exactly one beer (from Elysian) from Seattle breweries (the only other Washington state beer is from Diamond Knot). Here are my favorite 8 beers from 2009:

8. Deschutes The Abyss
(American Double Imperial Stout, 11.0 ABV, BA Score = A+)
This highly sought after beer has been so popular that each year's releases sees a significant jump in production. I bought 3 bottles from 2008 (and no bottles from 2009) and was kind of disappointed with it. I had this 09 version at a local pub, Latona, where it tasted absolutely fantastic. I don't remember hints, tastes, smells except that it was all around amazing; much better than the bottle version.

7. Diamond Knot Industrial IPA
(American Double IPA, 7.5 ABV, BA Score = B+)
Exceptionally smooth DIPA from this Mukilteo, WA brewery. So good, in fact, that my mother, voracious hater of all things beery, enjoyed the florally, citrsuty, hoppy goodness of this local favorite. That's enough to qualify for best of year.

6. Sierra Nevada Kellerweis
(Hefeweizen, 4.8 ABV, BA Score = A-)
I don't like American Hefeweizens. They are always way too carbonated, way too one-note, not enough flavor. Maybe it was the frisbee golf I was playing while drinking it but this one was top notch. It reminded me of a Weihenstephaner Hefe, one my all-time favorites. This was banana-y (but not too much), cloudy, and easy going down. Glad to see this is available year round.

5. Elysian Daedalus Irish Stout
(Irish Dry Stout, 4.7 ABV, BA Score = A-)
A smooth, creamy, chocolatey Dry Irish Stout that Guiness wishes it was. If you like lower alcohol beers and dry Stouts, seek this out. One of my favorites from my favorite Seattle brewery.

4. Brouwerij Bosteels DeuS
(Biere Brut, 11.5 ABV, BA Score = A-)
The most expensive bottle of beer I've bought ($35) and it was worth it. I got this for Kirsty for Christmas because she was always eyeing up a bottle at Zenos, a bottle that wore a $50 price tag. I broke down and busted this out for something special (a raise?). It lacked the bite of Champagne and was exceptionally smooth. I honestly don't remember much about it besides thinking it was worth the cost and that it tasted awesome.

3. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
(American Porter, 5.5 ABV, BA Score = A-)
This was the year of the porter. Luckily, Seattle breweries seem to like porters and is thus one my go-tos when going out. This porter, the second entry from Deschutes, might be the best I've had. Very easy to drink but surpisingly deep with flavor. Turn your brain on and enjoy immensely or turn your brain off and enjoy even more.

2. Russian River Pliny the Elder
(American Double IPA, 8.0 ABV, BA Score = A+)
Probably not much of a surprise here. Hands down, the best DIPA I've ever had. It's so sweet smelling from the abundance of hops that you think it's going to be kind of harsh. Smoooootttthhhhhh. Seek it out. I say no more.

1. Brooklyn Intensified Coffee Stout
(American Double Imperial Stout, 8.0 ABV, BA Score = A-)
I had this on tap at Zeno's before or after John and Sarah's wedding. I love Brooklyn. I love Coffee Stouts. This was creamy, thick, dark, and the most coffee-ish of any coffee beer I've had. Coffee and stout = match made in heaven. Others have tried to marry the two but never have they succeeded with such caffeinated, boozy bliss as this. It takes the number one because it was so unexpected and the fact that I will probably never have this beer again. Gotta hoist those types of beer up.

IPA Tasting

2010-01-25T10:59:00.000-08:00

The results? All over the map. Very little consensus or regularity in the results. After having a Double IPA and and IPA tasting, I think it's time to move on to the less palate crushing beers (looking at you dry Irish stouts). We drank Mendocino White Hawk IPA, Midnight Sun Sockeye IPA, Port Brewing Wipeout IPA, Anderson Valley Hop Ottin', Diamond Knot IPA, Elysian Avatar Jasmine IPA, Port Townsend Hop Diggity, Lazy Boy IPA, Deschutes Inversion IPA, 21st Amendment Brew Free or Die IPA.

Port Brewing Wipeout IPA took the prize while locally produced Lazy Boy IPA took home the razzie. Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California were represented by coincidence, not design.

It was interesting that three people's least favorite beer was another person's favorite and another's second favorite. I was surprised to see the Diamond Knot IPA score so low as that is generally a crowd favorite. Katy, very enamored with the Elysian Avatar, was not so much after tasting it blind, thus reinforcing the need for blind tastings. We had three other people in attendance but one's ranking system proved unintelligible and another couple came around the 5th beer.

Top Tracks of The Decade, 2009

2010-01-14T18:17:00.000-08:00

Posting this is somewhat embarrassing and humorously revealing. Much of the music that impacted me was, to quote the IFC Podcast folks, steeped deeply in melancholgia. Actually, maybe straight-up melancholy is more apt. Whatever it is, I spent the better part of the decade feeling sorry for myself, figuratively cutting my veins with music.

"Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?" We may never know.

On the upside, 2009 was an enjoyable year. Listening to the 2009 disc after the decade discs reveals a different person. Funny, I don't feel any different really. So, here it is (cavaet: no 2009 tracks were included on the best of decade...being indecisive, I just can't commit to that so soon. After all, the tracks on the decade discs were ones that proved personal over a long period of time):

(click to enlarge)

(note: this started as a mix CD for my sister but turned into a best of list)

Israeli Cous Cous with Garlicky Mushrooms

2010-01-12T19:02:00.001-08:00

We've been on an Israeli cous cous kick as of late. It's delicate and chewy and delicious. The other day I made some garlicky mushrooms along with Israeli cous cous with spinach and sun dried tomato.

Cous Cous

1 cup Israeli Cous Cous
1 onion, diced
5-6 sun dried tomatoes, diced (I prefer the dried opposed to oil...more flavor)
1 T olive oil
1/2 T butter
1.5 cups vegetable stock
2 cups spinach

Heat olive oil and butter in a medium saucepan. Add onion and tomato. Sautee until onion softens just a little. Add cous cous and stir for about one minute. Add stock, stir. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer, stirring occasionally. It may need more stock so keep an eye on it. When the liquid is absorbed and the cous cous isn't too tough add the spinach and stir until it wilts a little.

On the the mushrooms (adapted from Mark Bittman's 'How to Cook Everything':

~1 pound mushrooms (I used criminis), chopped coarsely
2T olive oil
1/4 cup white whine
2 T fresh parsley
1 T chopped garlic
1 T butter

Heat oil over medium/medium-high heat in a large pan. Add shrooms. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until they soften up a bit. Add wine and let simmer away until nearly gone. Add butter, stir until melted. Add garlic and parsley, stir for one minute. Let rest in pan until ready to eat.

Serves 3.

I think some roasted carrots would go great with this.

Broccoli Soup (or the $5.50 Broccoli Conundrum)

2010-01-11T15:13:00.000-08:00

One time I went shopping. I needed cauliflower. It was on sale for $1.99!! In the basket it goes. Continue on with the shopping. Fast forward to the check out.

Beep. Milk. Almonds. Beep. Beep. Beer. Beep. Cheese. Then comes the cauliflower. Beep. $8.50! I thought it was $1.99?!

"Hey checkout person, wasn't that $1.99?"

"$1.99 a pound." (looks down, mutters). "Do you still want it?"

(audible sigh) "Yeah, sure, whatever."

It was $1.99 a pound. Lesson learned, right? Fast forward to last week: mmmmmm, broccoli. 1.99 a pound. This can't weigh more than a pound, right? You know what's coming. It came to $5.50. So, we eat that broccoli but are left with heavy, bulky stems. Usually I just compost it and eat the cost. But at $5.50, I must do something with the stems. Let's try a soup.

So I did. And it was fantastic. You know that heavy, heavy cream of broccoli soup at Panera? The one that doesn't taste like broccoli? This one kicks the shit out of that one.

Make it:

1 T butter
1 onion, chopped
1 potato (russet, yukon gold, whatever), chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1/2 t garlic powder
1 quart veggie broth
1 jigger of white wine
1 pound broccoli stems, cut relatively small, with a few florets reserved
1/2 cup half-and-half
1/2 cup shredded cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Heat butter on medium/medium-high in medium saucepan. Add onion, potato, celery, broccoli stems. Saute until the veggies begin to soften. Add some garlic powder, stir. Add white wine until mostly dissolved. Add broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat, simmer until broccoli is crisp-tender. Add florets, simmer until florets are softened.

Remove from heat. Puree with a stick blender of some such blending device.

Add half-and-half and then the cheese, slowly. Season with salt and pepper.

Soup = lazy man's food. Therefore, add whatever you want to it. More cheese. Spice. Whatever. It was clean, not too heavy, and full of broccoli flavor.

There is no picture because we devoured it all before I remembered.

Recurring Theme: MIA; 2009 Ends

2009-12-16T20:44:00.001-08:00

Almost a month and this steed sits idle. When I first started writing randomness I vowed to not let the blog slip into a coma. A boring, check-everyday-but-get-nothing, internet coma. But, I have excuses, I think. I was working for a little bit, out of town for Thanksgiving, planning a wedding, applying to graduate school (still working on it), christmas shopping. Basically living the life that everyone else lives but a life I'm not accustomed to. "Wait, I have to get up at 6:30 in the a.m?! This is BULLshit!" So, yeah, not as much time dedicated to the old blogaroo.

Lets renew that vow.

Well, when I get back from the east coast because you know nothing's appearing on here while I'm gone.

So, 2009 is ending. I know this because I have been reading mad end-of-decade lists on Pitchfork, AV Club, Time, EVERYWHERE. They are fun. You are fun.

In honor of this inevitability I will do some year-end lists again. Beer, movies (though, I didn't see many 2009 movies so I will just do "movies seen during 2009"), music, and books.

If I possessed the technical or motivational prowess to fashion together a four minute montage of the year a la "The Rules of Attraction," then I surely would. However, I must disappoint and simply provide a grammatically incorrect, article missing paragraph/list. All-in-all, a decent year. But not A Good Year like that stupid Russel Crowe movie.

Got engaged, Sasquatch, SeaFair, Inglourious Basterds, Christmas Tree, Random work, got rid of the Nissan, went east, went west, backpacked in Olympic, saw Neon Indian, Plants and Animals, Juan MacLean, The Field, Girl Talk, Black Mountain (and other bands at Sasquatch), Scooter visit, Kirsty's parents visit, eating at Pair, my parent's visit, long summer nights on the porch, swimming in Green Lake, swimming in the sound, swimming in the lake at the park where Charles Manson nabbed one of his victims, drinking in the bar where Charles Manson nabbed one his victims, walking, eating doughnuts, Oregon Coast, Mario Kart, riding to Redhook, Light Rail, Seattle drivers angering me, Thai food all over, finding recipes that are now staples, Double IPA tasting, bowling, fires on the beach, music, Jeff's visit, Rhode's visit, iPod, new phone, book fairs, trip to Portland, and a whole bunch of other good stuff.

Personal Travel Audit: Week 3

2009-11-20T18:51:00.000-08:00

Week 3 was a good one. Relatively good weather meant walking. Matt was out of town so limited trips to Bellevue and I picked up Kirsty's ring (we're engaged!!!!!) so no more driving to Lynnwood. Sunday was a long walking day, relative to the others. I walked to Fremont to see Neon Indian. He/they was/were good, albeit slightly uneven. It was fun and it was the first concert I've been to solo. Interesting experience. I felt slightly guarded and then slightly uninhibited. Fuck it, ya know?

Nothing more to say, really. I'm enjoying this little project.

Two Things

2009-11-19T13:04:00.001-08:00

This is on the Sports Illustrated page today. Two important things worth nothing:

That's Beaver Stadium and Penn State prominently pictured as the main image for this feature.
Rudest fans = Ohio State.

That is all.

Sweet Fiesta Movement Video

2009-11-19T10:33:00.000-08:00

Nicely done, michaelaranda.

Semen Soles!

2009-11-14T16:56:00.000-08:00

What. The. Fuck?

Gravity Defyer shoes, apparently. I guess it's good advertising. I'm talking about.

Personal Travel Audit: Week 2

2009-11-14T11:23:00.000-08:00

Week 2 has ended. Results below. I really don't think anyone cares about this but it's more of a personal record for myself, to see how I travel (duh). I forgot to mention that my walking distances are calculated using google maps. I don't have a pedometer so I'm missing out on total steps (in a store, from the house to the street, in the house, etc.).

While I walked almost the exact same distance my vehicle miles are up considerably. This is due to various factors and it will probably be relatively high in the remaining weeks (especially when we go to Wenatchee for Thanksgiving...over the mountains and through the woods...).

Hopefully my walking share will be at least 20% next week.

Kirsty and I were talking about what we could do to reduce our carbon footprint. She has always tossed around the idea of carpooling or taking the bus to work bus is hesitant due to the hard schedule it imposes (she works about 20 miles from where we live). I think the biggest thing to consider is that not driving your car to work is not an all-or-nothing game. You drive to work everyday. That's a lot of miles. If you bussed or walked or carpooled just once a week that's an automatic 20% decrease in miles traveled. If Kirsty did this for an entire year it's 2080 miles she's not putting on her car, about $160 saved in gasoline, less wear-and-tear, less greenhouse gas emissions...

That's just one day. You do this two, three times a week, the numbers obviously escalate accordingly. Huge savings in many areas!

I know I've been preachy recently but it's something I feel strongly about (that coupled with the class I'm taking, keeping track of my travel modes, talks I've attended, etc.). Right. I'm done for now.

Alex Steffen and A Slice of Seattle

2009-11-12T22:50:00.000-08:00

I am a civic engager/engage-e.

I just returned from a talk by Alex Steffen, executive director of WorldChanging.com. He spent 75 minutes talking about Seattle's future and, of course, the world's future.

Touching on issues of sustainability and how we need to not fuck ourselves now if we want to live a healthy, just, productive life in the future, Steffen presented a glossy, wide-ranging talk, ableit one that prompted much applause and discussion.

Town Hall is a public (I guess public...admission was $5...I'm not too sure on its official designation) forum in where speakers talk about shit and people listen. It seems very Quaker, very New England in the setting. It was rather comforting sitting in slightly uncomfortable wooden benches talking about the the world around us.

The evening started off with an introduction by Seattle's newly minted mayor-elect Mike McGinn. To those outside of Seattle, McGinn was an outsider (by political standards) who really tapped into the psyche of Seattlelites (grassroots campaigning, anti-car, pro-environment, pro-nightlife, etc.) and took the election from two-time incumbent Nickels and T-Mobile exec Joe Mallahan. In his first appearance since Mallahan conceded, McGinn received a very warm welcome (standing O). A fucking standing ovation as the introducer? The dude's like Obama, signifying an era of change. So, then the crowd sits. Enter Steffen.

Steffen gave a powerpoint presentation that touched on, by my count, four major issues:

dense development is needed,
the car must be secondary,
we must embrace our collective intelligence and engage with each other, and,
we must embrace technology in becoming more sustainable.

Each point was given numerous examples of how we can achieve this and how other cities are already working to do so (the dreaded Portland, the domineering Vancouver, among other, mainly European, cities). Looked at holistically, it would be impossible to implement change at the scale he is seeking. But, each person has a talent, an interest. He, along with McGinn in his intro, hinted that the people behind the change are not in city hall. Not in Olympia. They are us. The people with the sore asses sitting before him. While this is not necessarily a novel idea, it was, however, novel in the way he went about it. So many possibilities, so many ideas. If every person contributed in small ways on a consistent basis change will come about. We can, as his goal states. become the first carbon-neutral city in the country.

As mentioned, the talk was rather breezy, offering little in way of numbers, statistics, or hard references. But, when we are talking about becoming more sustainable, fuck it. It's not like he is trying to convince to become pro-business and the potential negative side effects are masked in positive tones and images. No. We are trying to save the planet. If it engages people to change, to act and react, who needs scholarly references? Let the people change their habits. Change the world.

Afterwards: Kirsty and I, while drinking our complementary Fremont Brewing pale ale, we both pondered what we could do to make a difference. The basement was abuzz with people, drinks in hand, socializing and interacting in the public sphere, talking about the world around them.

The internet is great. It offers supposed democratization of media and information. I have never bought into this argument. While the internet offers so many useful tools it can never replace the power of being in a roomful of people who care about an issue. I'm no mover or shaker. But, this simply way of spending my evening has gotten me to think about things I already think about. It's reinforcing to know that I'm not alone. It give me hope.

KUOW will have a broadcast of his talk (so he says). I will post that once it's avaialbe. I know it sounds droll and dry but I really encourage you to listen to it, especially if you aren't from Seattle.

9 Minutes of Bliss?!?!

2009-11-12T11:14:00.001-08:00

1 Minute Video Project on Vimeo

2009-11-09T21:33:00.000-08:00

I spend way too much time watching pointless, crappy videos on YouTube. Fortunately there is Vimeo, YouTube's smarter, cultured, artistic cousin, which is exponentially better in terms of content and video quality.

Anyway, I came across a project (they have projects on there) that asks users to create one-minute (no more, no less) videos wherein the frame is static. The objects in the frame may move but it's of their own volition. There is, of course, a lot of crap but there is also some really creative stuff.

I like this one:

Traffic light - 60 seconds from John Wiseman on Vimeo.

Context free/uninspired link = One minute video project on Vimeo

If you like (and, uh, have the time like I do) to watch online videos and you haven't checked Vimeo out. Do it. Do it now.

Get to ze choppah.

The White Stuff?

2009-11-05T21:39:00.000-08:00

I know Penn State is a school in the middle of rural Pennsylvania and how diversity isn't off the charts but come on, the press doesn't need to further the stereotype.

Though it's good to see PSU on the front page of EPSN.

Check it:

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/6477/clark-pryor-share-spotlight-in-happy-valley

Personal Travel Audit: Week 1

2009-11-04T20:46:00.001-08:00

This past week I kept track of all distances and modes of travel.

If I were to draw my cognitive map it would be relatively small (in fact, I may do this in the future...a GEOG 20 assignment but very telling about how you view the built environment). All told I traveled 80.15 by car, bus, taxi, bike, and feet.

The number is distance traveled (by miles) and the % is the percentage of miles compared to the total miles for the week.

While I didn't set out to achieve any particular goals of the audit (rather, simply seeing how much I traveled and by what mode) That said, from here on out, I have decided to set some goals for subsequent weeks:

I want to see the driving number at less than 50% of miles;
I want to walking to maintain at least a 20% share of all trips

Well, I guess that's it for goals. I didn't really want to alter my behavior, simply take stock. However, after realizing that I'm a lazy bastard who hasn't gotten much exercise recently, it's not a bad idea to encourage the walking aspect.

A few notes:

The driving number is high due to a trip to Bellevue (where Kirsty's brother lives). It's across the lake and will most likely be the skewing factor in future weeks.
I drove the other times to buy soda. Yep, soda. That sounds pathetic but they had a buy two, get three free sale. How can an addict resist that sale?
Friday was a pretty awesome day...all modes represented. It would be more awesome if the car share wasn't part of it but oh well, I can't carry five 12-packs.

...aaaaannnnndddddd time for some preaching. I encourage you to think about the way you travel. Did you drive to get the milk when you could have walked? I think most people have a mental threshold in terms of a feasible walking distance. I put this distance at one mile. But seriously, a mile aint no thang. A mile, at a brisk but not excruciating pace, is 15 minutes. Just 15 minutes. Maybe you didn't even need milk that night. Maybe you could have just picked it up on your way home from work or when you were out driving other errands.

.... .... high-and-mighty: I realize that other people may not live in an area that facilitates not driving but we have to take some responsbility in how, when, why, and how often we travel. We (America) cannot and must not continue down its frivolous path in choosing what seems like the most convenient mode of transportation (car). Walking is beautiful. Biking is amazing. Riding the bus with the strangers, though you may be bombarded with odors beyond words and douchiness that defies comprehension, offers perspectives on society and your city like no car can offer.

"Hey, smelly douche bags live in my town. Am I smelly?" Sniffs pits. "Decidedly not smelly. Maybe he/she didn't have deodarant. Maybe they can't afford deodarant. Why can't they afford deodarant? Well, they are riding the bus. Maybe they are looking for work. Maybe they choose to smell awful...."

And so on. You are engaging, constantly engaging when you travel by not-automobile. Seriously. More exhilirating than you think. Questioning. Observing. Being (ir)rational. Taking it all in.

Biking in Copenhagen

2009-10-29T21:21:00.000-07:00

Last night we went to a talk about Marketing Bicycle Culture.

We drove there.

It was presented by a Dane named Mikael Colville-Anderson. He had five steps that strove to market the bicycle to a city, the main point being what he called A2Bism. Basically, urban residents want to get from point A to B as fast as possible. He was very charismatic and his delivery wad decidedly unAmerican in that he was loose and slightly irreverent.

So, here is a little video about biking in Copenhagen.

Also, in honor of renewed enthusiasm, I am going to keep a weekly travel log to monitor how much I walk, bike, drive, and bus. I will post the results on the blog.

Govt on Flickr

2009-10-06T17:39:00.000-07:00

I recently heard something about some other thing on NPR and I somehow stumbled upon the State Department's Flickr page. There's just something strange seeing 'State Department' and 'Flickr' in the same thought. Well, the State Department is indeed on there.

As is the US Army. Check it out.

I stumbled upon this while looking for pictures of Afghanistan (it looks beautiful there...no, seriously). Guess who is a major contributor?

Weird.

Ugh. More Radiohead

2009-09-14T22:34:00.000-07:00

NPR has been getting stale and KEXP never seems to play my mood. They still rock but I have been longing for better music as I navigate Seattle rush hour.

Enter: the only two CDs in my car. A broken mix I made last year (broken because I jammed it in the center console to help balance my coffee mug) and Radiohead's OK Computer. This isn't another Radiohead-as-alienation-as-premonition blog post. No. Simply a mention of a cover disc of OK Computer.

http://stereogum.com/okx/

Covers. Meh. I can usually take it or leave them. Especially a disc covering Radiohead. But, it's Radiohead and I'm intrigued. You are intrigued, right? Go listen.

OK Computer has never been my favorite Radiohead album which is like saying that your son is your favorite over your daughter. They both rock but one is just a little slower, less awesome than the other (talking about the music, right?).

However, daughter (OK Computer) is desperately vying for undivided father love, taking it away from brother (Kid A, maybe Amnesiac, maybe In Rainbows). OK Computer is thematically perfect (even with "Fitter Happier") but I prefer the stripped-down sonic exploration of the later discs.

Right. No more mention of Radiohead unless they release a new album in the next week. Which they probably will.

Man. If my future kids read this they are so on to me.

The Decade is Almost Over

2009-09-10T22:20:00.000-07:00

[note: I didn't edit this at all so apologies for poor grammar and missing words. I wanted to get it up before the weekend]

After getting up early to attend calculus class at Penn State Erie the decade snapped out of focus. The hot September morning, causing beads of sweat as I rolled into the classroom, hazily revealed hysteria. I thought it was the anniversary of the truck bomb in 1993. We were dismissed before class began and I walked back to my room and told my roommate what happened. Then came the images, the video, the unscripted chaos. Were they real? Why did I feel sick? The days that followed were met with unbridled opinions about what to do, who to do it to, and, ultimately, why. Why now?

Immediately after the day, the light shifted to dark, to light again, dark and conversation was endlessly fraught with reactionary rhetoric; we must bind together, stay as one, united we stand. In a country that was founded on the parceling of land where every homesteader was entitled to his own share this collectivism seemed out of place in the face of the rugged individualism that so often identifies the United States.

As the decade steamrolled to war, to stolen elections, to fallen economies, to nothing worthy of human celebration, as my teenage years merged with the twenties, I can't help but think back to the fall of 2000 when the decade began.

My sister was dating a guy who just heard Kid A by Radiohead. He was endlessly talking about how this new Radiohead album would change the face of music. He often spoke with grandiose embellishment and with his predilection for rap (not a fan at the time) I dismissed his claim.

But he planted a bug.

One night, while on a latenight trip to Wal-Mart to buy overpriced VHS tapes that were quickly becoming extinct, I remembered what he said. It was foggy that night and I remember the tone of walking through a half-full Wal-Mart parking lot at 12:30 a.m. in the middle of Lancaster County. It's isolating but the connection to what your are doing, the inanity of all, is compelling enough to remember how it feels.

I bought Kid A that night. Being rather unfamiliar with music at the time I didn't have any expectations. He said it would change music. Change it from what? No reference point. No idea of the destination.

After quietly driving in my long wooded driveway I said bye to my friend, he left, and I was met with silence. Creeping through the house, so as not to wake I anyone, like always, I got into bed, ripped off the plastic, put the disc into my cd player. Headphones on, I waited for the CD to spin. Finally. Sound.

It took my breath away. Surrounded by sound, lying in dark, everything was in its right place. The music canvassed my late night mind and I was motionless. I couldn't move, blink. Literally startled into submission.

I never had listened to an entire album and actually felt something except for viscera.

When the album stopped spinning I was greeted with the same silence of the empty house. But things felt different. Kid A felt so isolating but almost contentment for the isolation. Like knowing that the world will end and that you are OK with that. This is the path that we have chosen and there is no reversing it.

The decade that followed was filled with life-changing events. Many of which were joyous. But, as the decade closes, it's as if Kid A was a premonition of things to come. Things aren't terrible right now, but they certainly aren't perfect. The scale is definitely tipping toward the darkness, to the despair, rather than joy. I find myself reflecting on the oughts with the same feeling I stared them with. In my dark, quiet bedroom, memories shifting hopelessly, but with some prescient knowledge of what's to come. And it's not looking too rosey.

Al Franken Draws the USA (really, really well)

2009-09-08T22:11:00.000-07:00

Yeah, it already went viral but just in case you didn't see it:

Hey, I was a geography major.

Vernal Terminus, Autumnal Commencement

2009-09-08T21:12:00.000-07:00

The best is autumn. How can one (season?) compete with apple cider, college football, sweaters, cold beer on a porch on a cold night, chowder, crisp, cool days? Oh right, they (winter, spring, summer) can't.

That being said, summer was good. A recap of the past weeks:

I am working. Temporarily. I will be working temporarily with some regularity. Currently doing some data entry work for a place south of Seattle. This is tiding me over until Sep 21 when I start some more census work. There is a possibility that the current gig gets extended. If current gig (time x rate of pay) > census gig (it being a much higher rate of pay) then I will stay with the current gig. Did I get my '>' right. Or is it '<'?

My parents were just out for a visit. It was great to see them. I think they liked Seattle. They definitely liked the doughnut selection. We went up to Mount Rainier. You know, to check out the highest peak in the PacNW? Ammmmaaaazzzzing view. Check it out:

It was pretty foggy. Oh well. Next time I suppose.

I watched 'Great World of Sound' not long ago. It was one of the better movies I have seen in quite some time. Definitely not what I expected. I have some overblown blog post in the works but haven't finished it. I've said that before. Also saw 'Hard Eight,' Paul Thomas Anderson's first film. The dude's showed his chops (especially his fondness for tracking shots) from the start. It was pretty good (but had some of that melodrama that is often associated with gambling movies). John C. Reily. Philip Baker Hall. Gwyneth Paltrow. Samuel L. Jackson. A pretty good cast.

I've been digging on Bibio's new album 'Ambivalence Avenue.' It's sonically varied (always admire that), fun, and somewhat new sounding.

Just got a bottle of Black Butte 21. From the Deschutes Web site: Building on the existing chocolate notes already present in Black Butte Porter, brewers added Theo’s Chocolate cocoa nibs from Seattle, 1000 pounds of Bellatazza’s locally roasted Ethopian and Sumatran coffee, and then aged a portion of it in Stranahan’s Colorado whiskey barrels. Needless to say, I am very excited about this one. Thanks, Kirsty.

I start a Sustainable Transportation Certificate Program through the University of Washington in October. This is in addition to graduate school (fingers crossed, starting next fall at UW...for a Master in Urban Planning). It should provide some nice background to the planning world and hone in on my interest in alternative methods of transportation. Still have to do lots of studying for the GREs.

I finally got a new phone. I went with the LG enV 3 (right spacing? right capitalization? fuck knows). It will be a strange new world not having a five year old phone. Hopefully the new one is as durable as my old one ("This old thing? Yeah, look how strong it is." [drops it on the sidewalk, knowing, hoping it survives just one more "pride" test] "Yep, it's beast!!." Crowd goes wild [thinking to himself: thank god it didn't break ... ]). Look for a sexy new-phone old-phone photoshoot.

Currently listening to The Field's Yesterday and Today.

Penn State is undefeated! Playing against Akron and winning 31-7 the team looked a little lackluster. There were highpoints (D Clark's throwing record, Sean Lee stopping [sacking?] Akron's QB on the two yeard line, lots of deep balls and some nice receptions). But, the O-line needs to step up and create some lanes for Green and Royster. Also, the place kicker (not sure of his name) better be more consistent. I think we are going to have a decent team this year and these puff games in the beginning should be a good warmup in preparing for battle in the Big 10. I use 'battle' loosely after Minnesota barely beat Syracuse, Iowa won off a blocked field goal against University of Northern Iowa, and Illinois got trounced by Missouri. Oh, Ohio State looks very overrated (though Navy played well). I can't wait to see what Beaver Stadium looks like when it welcome Terrelle Pryor back to PA. Welcome home, son!

Speaking of games, guess who is the proud new owner of a frisbee golf set? That's right, set. Driver, mid-range, and putter. I'm like 'The Tao of Steve' except not fat, boring, or a bad movie. Awesome!

Some visitors in town in the coming weeks, a Girl Talk concert, more work, grad school preparation, and apple picking. Fall hath arrived.

Mix Tape 2: Boom Shh Tweak

2009-09-07T12:29:00.000-07:00

The second mix tape ("Boom Shh Tweak"). I think this might be one of the best mixes I have made. Very satisfied with the flow, with the balance; the right combo of frenetic, of slow, of style, texture, feel. It's sonically diverse that lacks emphasis on lyrics. Very few songs have been put on other mixtapes (with the exception of 'Hello Brooklyn,' 'Ghostwriter,' 'Knife,' and 'Vacuum.' Some mixes prove tedious in providing the right transitions and overall feel but this was met with ease and effectiveness (I think).

Original Writing?!

2009-08-20T23:19:00.001-07:00

I like to write but am usually too timid to share, sans a few select people. While organizing my desktop (fun times on a Thursday night), I came across some stuff from the fall, I think.

I wrote quite a bit that night but the two below were written while listening to music. I played the song and wrote how the song made me feel. Yeah, kind of freshman poetry class-esque but it was fun.

Listening to "NY" by Doves

N.Y. - Doves

The tunnel is close and it's closer
But the tendrils, streaming towards me from the walls
Hold me as I run toward the exit
The light filling my frame
Knowing, but not looking, that behind me is all black
Getting brighter, closer, I slow
I am almost there--the tunnel is now closing and
The darkness behind me is pushing its way around my sides
Through my legs, over my heads
Defeating the light and the exit
The music stops and I am stuck again
No choice but to turn around
Face the direction from which I came

Listening to "Grass" by Animal Collective

Grass - Animal Collective

Pitter, pitter, pitter
Thump, thump, thump
Exalt!
I am free from the tyranny
And am on the way
Just walking, walking, walking
Along the way with no direction
But, the path curves and becomes rocky
I fall
Deep down, into a crevasse
I reach for a branch and hold on
Swaying for a moment
I can feel the branch breaking
And I fall!
This time to the almost bottom
Is it?
It's dark
There is air above me
Air below me
I could be anywhere
But I keep my spirits up
I could be anywhere
And what a relief that is
A calm washes over
Not thinking about anything really
It’s fine
I’m fine
And I fall again
Feeling the air whoosh by my face
The hairs on my arms are ecstatic
As I plunge deeper
And I smile.

Pet Sounds...only singing

2009-08-13T23:43:00.000-07:00

Saw this on FreeWilliamsburg. Pretty awesome.

Get the rest on this dude's YouTube channel.

Blitzen Trapper "Furr"

2009-08-06T21:38:00.000-07:00

I just realized that KEXP is now posting HD videos on YouTube. Sweet.

Here is Kirsty's favorite Blitzen Trapper song, as we saw it last weekend at the needle.

'A Serious Man' Trailer

2009-08-02T22:22:00.000-07:00

A Serious Man, the Coen Brothers newest, is one of the best trailers I have seen in a long time.

Mix Tape 1: Leaning Left

2009-07-31T23:45:00.000-07:00

Well, the Mix Tape projected has commenced. Three have been made. This is the first. Three more to go.

It is for my friend Ian. I have made quite a few mixes for Ian before. They are challenging in that the listener, Ian, in my mind, usually requires a lot of melody, some off-rhythm playing, some nice catch to the tune. Often the most challenging.

This is 'Leaning Left' because I tried to slip in some more obscure, less straightforward songs. Haven't heard if he likes it.

I had a hard time getting the balance of the flow right on this one. I think it works as an album. Starting off with something upbeat but not too explosive leads into grooving instrumental into some literate, familiar (musically) hiphop, simmering with the next three tracks and then pumped up (slowly), back down, but not far, with the middle of the disc, sort of plateauing now, with some nice chamber pop, and then brooding into the third act with some difficult tracks, though some providing an oasis amidst the challenge, finally finishing on reflection?

Here's the track listing.

The artwork was simple text with the 'Left' in the title leaning left (and yellow!). You know, yellow. Like Nuprin. Little. Yellow. Different. I plan to make more ambitious "artwork" for subsequent albums.

Really? Not a Racist?

2009-07-30T22:22:00.000-07:00

From CNN.com

BOSTON, Massachusetts (CNN) -- The Boston police officer who sent a mass e-mail in which he compared Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. to a "banana-eating jungle monkey" has apologized, saying he's not a racist.

Officer Justin Barrett, 36, told a Boston television station Wednesday night that he was sorry about the e-mail, a copy of which he also sent to The Boston Globe. He repeated his apology Thursday night on CNN's "Larry King Live."

"I would like to take this opportunity to offer fellow police officers, soldiers and citizens my sincerest apology over the controversial e-mail I authored," Barrett said on CNN. "I am not a racist. I did not intend any racial bigotry, harm or prejudice in my words. I sincerely apologize that these words have been received as such. I truly apologize to all."

What a douche.

102 F

2009-07-29T17:10:00.000-07:00

Correction: It hit 103. That's an all-time high in Seattle. Not just for today but forever!

Bruno, Genital Warts Ad

2009-07-28T21:41:00.000-07:00

Coincidence? (click to enlarge)

Yep, Rains ALL the Time in Seattle

2009-07-23T21:15:00.001-07:00

Seattle Summer

2009-07-21T23:10:00.000-07:00

It's been a little over two weeks since we returned from the east coast (I assume you've heard "Two Weeks" by Grizzly Bear, right?) and it's been summer ever since.

We've been busy and frugal. We are utilizing coupons and various free shit that Seattle likes to offer (free tacos at Chipotle, free screening of Food, Inc., rowboat rental, opening the first real mass transit option in the city, sun).

We also went hiking.

Snow Lake is about 60 minutes from our house. Door to door. 60 minutes. Yeah, rad. Now that Kirsty is officially geared up (it's been a several year process in getting boots, pack, sleeping bag, air mattress) we can utilize our consumptive efforts. We were just out for a dayhike but it was good to be in the sun, in the mountains. Surprisingly, there was still snow. Unsurprisingly, it was very crowded on the trail. Nice day = mass exodus from the city. We did about 7 miles, gained at least a thou in elevation, ate some nuts on a rock by a lake.

We made an OK pizza with mozzarella, ricotta, Walla Walla onion, roasted red pepper, and roasted garlic. Exceeding expectations with the crust (our own rosemary infused), success was squashed with the volume of sauce (too little). Next time.

We make Applesauce Blueberry Muffins a lot. They require 1 cup of blueberries which requires buying frozen blueberries from the store. Not bad, right? Picking our own berries and freezing them? No response needed. Eight pounds (8!!!) of berries, a scant $10. I cleaned and picked through the berries (no spiders needed), dried them, froze them in a baking pan, and then bagged them. Drying and freezing them before bagging will prevent clumps. Highly recommended.
I finally busted out the Great Divide Oak Aged Espresso Yeti Stout. It was mighty fine. Boozy, bangin'. As far as coffee beers, I prefer the Brooklyn Intensified Coffee Stout. On a related note, I have been fighting with myself not to buy Deschutes Black Butte XXI (from Deschutes Web site: This special Reserve Series release is a colossal version of Black Butte Porter. Our brewers enhanced Black Butte XXI by adding some Theo’s Chocolate cocoa nibs from Seattle, dry-hopping it with 100 pounds of Bellatazza’s locally roasted coffee, and then aging a portion of it in Stranahan’s Colorado whiskey barrels.)
When sitting down for some Saturday night entertainment (DVD) I didn't expect to see my friend Ian appear in it. It was a PBS special (E^2: Economics of Environmentally Conscious Transport [or something like that]). On the 'Food Miles' segment was a bucolic farmscape with a guy on an old Farmall tractor. Yep, Ian's dad. I thought it might be some stock footage but he was interviewed. Then, later, Ian appeared, as shown below. Wild stuff. Note: he works on a farm in Lancaster County that is committed to local produce (they grow, others grow). The food is then sold to Philly restaurants which are seen as pioneers in the eating local movement. Needless to say, we have been obsessed with eating locally recently.
Seattle became a real city on Friday. The first (of hopefully many) light rail lines opened. I was very excited about this. Trains. Public Transit. Newness. Exciting! It's not perfect but it's a start (qualms: it's not in my neighborhood [that will open in 2016], it stops just short of the airport [that segment to open in December], it's a tad long to the airport area, it's slow in tunnels; props: it's a dedicated transit option, it serves some areas with low SES status, I will be able to ride to the airport at the end of the year, hopefully it will be the impetus needed to build more light rail). We rode it for free.

We rowed a boat. On Lake Union. For an hour. It was hot. As fuck. And fun. As fuck (once I realized we weren't going to die).
...and Kirsty's brother and friend are training for the carnival.
Other highlights include eating Honey Lavender and Maple Walnut ice cream at the newest ice cream boutique (apparently they are taking over), seeing Food, Inc. (but not being surrounded by the general public), working on my mix tape project, making some tasty kebabs, enjoying a free week at the gym, and almost finishing by 30 pack of Keysone Light (known at 'stones'). It is a leftover from Sasquatch. Thanks, Jeff. Complete and total fuckhead.

Thom Yorke "All For The Best"

2009-07-20T23:44:00.001-07:00

New song by Thom Yorke. I ripped off the code from Seattle Times (thanks, Times)

Click To Play

I'm iPod Obsessed?

2009-07-16T12:08:00.000-07:00

I have recently become obsessed with the iPod Touch. This due to many factors: 1) losing my iPod and missing music; 2) going to the Apple store and playing with them; 3) seeing friends with them; and 4) watching YouTube videos about iPods (maybe I shouldn't admit that).

I came across this video of a dude named Morpheus unboxing his iPod. What I thought was a fluke of a video turns out to be prevalent all over YouTube. Lots of people record themselves opening various gadgets. The careful dexterity and meticulous opening is painful to watch and agonizing to think about it. You just bought a really sweet toy and it takes you 24 minutes to open it? Good lord.

Passing the pain on to you.

I came across this last month or so but surfaced again when I saw an article on Slate.com by way of The Seattle Times today.

Anything Goes Soup

2009-07-14T22:19:00.000-07:00

My sister visited in November and made a delicious squash and apple soup. When I asked her for the recipe she quipped: "I don't know, I just throw stuff in." Thanks, sis. You are always so helpful when it comes to crucial culinary matters.

I have made this "just throw stuff in" soup three, maybe four, times now. The necessities include butternut squash, apple, potato, and veggie stock. Add whatever else you want. It's a good time to clean out the fridge.

The last batch was delicious and was made thusly:

1 butternut squash, cubed
1 granny smith apple, cubed
1 russet potato, cubed
1 red onion
3 stalks celery
2 carrots
1 1" piece of ginger
1 jalapeno
1 qt veggie stock
1 t butter
1 t oil
ginger powder
hot madras curry powder
cayenne
salt
pepper
4-8 oz half-and-half

Heat oil and butter in large pot. Add all vegetable (not the stock yet) and ginger and jalapeno. Cover and cook until vegetable begin to soften. Add your spices and stir for a few minutes. Add the stock, bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer 15-20 minutes (until everything is tender). Using an immersion blender or regular, puree soup to preferred consistency (I prefer no chunks whatsoever). Stir in half-and-half. Serve.

Use more or less of everything but always use at least one apple, squash, and potato. The original recipe didn't have half-and-half but I like the richness it offers. As far as spicing the soup: put in whatever you like. For me, the curry powder works. This was the first time I used fresh ginger and it was a nice addition (carrot and ginger is always a winning combo anyway). This would be a ridiculously healthy soup if not for the dairy. It's a relatively small amount for the soup the recipe yields. Whatever. I'm on a free seven day gym pass right now.

Dodos New Album Stream; Broken Social Scene Videos

2009-07-14T10:45:00.000-07:00

The Dodos' album Visiter is one my favorite albums of the past few years. They are coming out with a new one in a few weeks...in the meantime you can stream it from here. I haven't listened to it yet (literally on the first song right now).

Also, another one of my favorite bands, Broken Social Scene, is coming out with another album. The Toronto collective recently played some shows in...Toronto. It was captured with nice audio and video by a YouTuber.

One of my favorite songs:

I Make You a Custom Mix CD

2009-07-13T22:01:00.001-07:00

Well, I've been absent. I was back east seeing many of you (awesome!). To those who check this regularly and have been routinely disappointed by anything new, I extend to you a gift:

A custom made mix CD. Each CD will be tailored to what I think your taste should be.

If you are comfortable in ceding complete control in terms of content, awesome! If not, let me know of some parameters or keywords (cry into my beer, no hiphop, only live, etc.) that I should I abide by. I can abide. Or try at least.

If you got a Christmas card from me I have your address. If you didn't, let me know so I can send it. Don't be bashful. Give me something to do.

I will ship anywhere in the world. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.

I will post the track list and any other info for each CD.

KEXP Review of The Field and Juan MacLean

2009-06-15T21:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Scootie.

If anyone wants to read a slightly more articulate (what, "it rocks" isn't good enough?) review of the concert I attended (The Field and Juan MacLean), check out Seattle's 90.3 KEXP review. I stumbled upon it while looking for info re: a free Dodos concerts later in the summer. This town has its perks.

Highlight:

Last Monday night when I went to Nectar Lounge to see The Juan MacLean and The Field, I didn’t know that I’d be at the hottest show in town. These two groups played sizzling sets of electronica to a packed and enthusiastic crowd.

Yeah, I was there! Check out the full review here.

Also, if you are not familiar with the radio station, definitely stream that shit for an hour or two. They play great music (diverse) that's not as singer-songwritery as the much beloved XPN. Sorry, XPN. New coast, new music.

1995 Tom Brokaw Interview on Internet

2009-06-15T11:49:00.000-07:00

Jimmy Fallon. You did it again. Sort of. While you aren't that funny, your show sometimes has some entertaining clips.

Tom Brokaw on "something called the internet," circa 1995. A master's thesis could be done with this clip and ones similar.

Random June Musings

2009-06-14T21:20:00.001-07:00

I am currently digging more into the newish Animal Collective album (Merriweather Post Pavillion). Summertime Clothes is crazy catchy and with associated trippy video, even better. Enjoy:

I went backpacking in the Olympics. Snow was still prevalent so we had to, at the last minute, change our route. We hiked up the Quinault River to the Enchanted Valley. As Phil from Groundhog Day says, "There were some very big trees." We were under the canopy for the majority of the nearly 40 miles. But, once we reached the Enchanted Vallley..:

I went to Whole Foods tonight to buys odds-and-ends. There is always someone standing outside the store asking for money. I imagine they are thinking "stupid yuppies, they think they are saving the world by spending a lot of money on the groceries and they can't even spare a buck." Now, I resent that sentiment. Is it possible to resent your own fabricated reality? I never give people money. I'm strapped as it is. However, that guilt was overwhelming tonight. I gave in. I gave the dude (he is my favorite dude there) a dollar. It didn't make me feel better or offset any guilt. Just noteworthy because of my acquiescence.

I got drunk along the shipping canal and saw The Field and the Juan MacLean. Very awesome stuff. I knew The Field before going. They didn't disappoint. I listened to only a few Juan MacLean songs beforehand. They rocked.

Happy House - The Juan Maclean

Saw the Pacific with Kirsty this weekend. The ocean was rough, cold, and full life. Exactly as expected. We are/were preparing for those geography illiterate folks who think Seattle is on the Pacific. "Hey, you have been living in Seattle. How is the Ocean?", they'll say. If we didn't go this past weekend I would respond thusly: "Oh, you see, Seattle is actually on the Puget Sound. The Pacific is about 2.5 hours west of the city. So, no, I can't really comment on how the Ocean is doing." Having visited, my response will revel in conciseness: "It's good." It makes our job a lot easier. Anyhoo, we camped at Ocean City State Park (which happens to be the beach I visited during my youth in New Jersey). It was fun to be near the beach but in the woods camping.

That said, we are pumped to come east for a few weeks. State College, Ohio, PA, Pittsburgh. It should be a grand time.

Today is Flag Day. As such, we saw lots of flag wavers waving their flags on bridges as we sped beneath them.

Is this on The Onion or CNN?

2009-06-09T18:08:00.000-07:00

Sasquatch: Recap

2009-05-27T16:35:00.000-07:00

I spent the past Friday through Monday in beautiful central Washington, amidst dry mountain ground and a wide swath of the Columbia River, listening to music and hanging out with great people.

Sasquatch is a tamer version of Bonnaroo, I think. Less drugs. More rules. Fewer hippies. This is all speculation but it's probably true.

We left Seattle around 4:30 Friday evening and got funneled into the mountain pass only to be stuck in a 25 (?) mile traffic jam. Cars were overheating left and right, underage girls with braces were making passes at our car (or was it the other way around, Jeff?), and our mode of transit--a white Oldsmobile with shit strapped to the roof--was entertaining for everyone on the road (yep, access through windows only).

Arriving in camp, around 11:00 (only 4 hours longer than it should have taken) saw the passing of a bottle of Makers Mark while meeting the neighbors.

This is how the next few days went: fall asleep listening to DMX or Eminem, courtesy of our northern neighbors, wake up because it's too damn hot, drink water, eat food, crack beer, another beer, is someone mixing a screwdriver?, sure, I'll take one, hide in any shade possible, amble the mile over to the festival site, listen to music, dodge the sun, eat shitty food, listen to more music, walk back to camp, eat, drink, sleep.

I managed to see quite a few bands: Passion Pit, Mos Def, Bon Iver, Animal Collective, The Decemberists, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Dodos, St. Vincent, The Walkmen, Calexico, Nine Inch Nails, Jane's Addiction, Aziz Ansari, Fleet Foxes, Grizzly Bear, Beach House, Girl Talk, Santigold. I saw bits and pieces of Blitzen Trapper, M83, Arthur and Yu, and Kings of Leon.

Highlights = Santigold, St. Vincent, The Walkmen, Mos Def, Bon Iver, The Dodos, Grizzly Bear, Beach House, Fleet Foxes.

Passion Pit, much hyped, was a letdown. Animal Collective opened with Summertime Clothes and My Girls which was sweet. Beach House, though good, had mad tech issues (many stages, many bands had troubles). Aziz Ansari was pretty funny. Jane's Addiction was somewhat bizarre. Nine Inch Nails kind of boring. Green man was roaming about. Beers were $9. Food blew goat.

Despite the heat, dirt, and crappy sound on the upper reaches of the lawn on the main stage, it was a great time. I will definitely go back if there is a strong lineup. We were lucky to camp with some recently acquired friends and two awesome dudes from California. Unfortunately, Kasper and his company to the north of us were possibly racist a-holes. The only communication I had with any of them was when one guy, around 2 am on Sunday, said "Hey, how are you doing? I'm good. I'm drinking a beer...on acid!!!" Then he ran away. He was having fun. Apparently one of his crew got arrested for first degree burglary. No one knew where he was until they, presumably, called the cops.

Oh, the view at the gorge is awesome.

AWOL? The cop out post

2009-05-14T22:44:00.000-07:00

Or something like that.

Something happened between May 4 and May 14: a $317.81 phone bill. All intervening days' activities were canceled so I could wholly and fully devote myself to some solid brooding time. Seriously, one must not be meager when it comes to bitching. Do it right. Do it proper. Right, I will get reimbursed for most of this beast but still. Still.

What else happened?

My dad demanded two hours of his life back. Apparently I recommended Synecdoche, New York and apparently he didn't like it. I haven't seen the movie. The man must be off his rocker. What I did see was a sign advertising the movie while my sister was in town. Word relayed to the PA family that we saw this marquee. I guess this almost the same as watching it? I guess it's a colossal clusterfuck of a movie. It's reminiscent of some Hansel and Gretel-esque movie I saw at the Rotterdam Film Festival (five years ago) and then claimed it was not! to! be! missed! When we rented it I fell asleep. And they hated it. Not like they remind me of this.

Thanks, Leo Reynolds, for the picture

My friend Ryan (hey Scooter!) was in town for the past week. He dragged me to hellacious squaredancing (his high point, my low point...yeah, I said it Scooter). Seriously, he loved it. We did other stuff including seeing Damian Jurado, Steve Earle, eating Thai, Indian, Korean, and bean soup (for four days in a row), happy hour bowling, fire on the beach, etc. He did more stuff including not taking the ferry to Bremerton, eating cured meats at Salumi, and trying to take a homeless lady to McDonalds. Unfortunately, he was rejected. After visiting every coffee shop in Seattle, Vox, I think, has the best caramel latte. Scooter?

I have three posts that I started writing: The Blair Witch Project, consuming the internet, and violence in movies. Someday, someday.

In the meantime I can enjoy my last day of work. Tomorrow, Friday will be it (aside from some leftover cleanup shit next week). Back to bleeding eyes and empty job searching.

Sasquatch is rapidly approaching. The biggest conflict: Animal Collective vs. Arthur and Yu. I really got into the one Arthur and Yu disc. Meanwhile, Merriweather Post Pavilion is pretty rad. Given that Arthur and Yu is local I will probably opt for Animal Collective and then add not seeing Arthur and Yu at Sasquatch to my lifelong regrets list (a list I like to keep tabs on). Currently on the list: not seeing The Arcade Fire in Amsterdam in 2005 (12 euros, what was I thinking?!) and something else that I recently added but now forget. I'm all about the regrets.

June brings a much needed trip east to see family, friends, and lots of people get married!

If any Mattspace readers find their way here, I promise I won't lock my past posts. Kidding, Matt. Half serious.

Dear Seattle:

2009-05-04T21:44:00.000-07:00

My relationship with Seattle got off to a rocky start: incessant bitching about the people, homesickness, and lack of job/money/friends/life.

Sadly, not much as changed in the intervening 8 months. I still bitch about the people (so oblivious), I miss friends and family (though I moved closer to my west coast family), and I will never stop complaining about working and all things related. Luckily, I am appreciating more and more things. Because I am a fan of lists and rankings (I am human after all), here is why I like Seattle in the form of a concise unfolding:

Mountains. Seriously, they are all around and they are snow-covered. Cascades, Olympics, Rainier. Nothing ever prepares me for the sight of Rainier. It's nearly three vertical miles of snowy, rocky, behemoth.
Beer gardens (and related alcohol offerings). We are having a concert and a beer garden, come check it out. There is a street fair and a beer garden, come check it out. Come run this 5K and enjoy the beer garden at the end (no shit, saw it advertised).
Farmers Markets (and related crunchy offerings). Lots of local, lots of fresh everything. It's refreshing to see independence so mainstream and ubiquitous. State College had it's offerings but it mostly offered fratastic fashion and wings.
Walking. It's a very walkable city. Need not say more.
Food. The Asian influence means seven Thai restaurants per block (city mandate) and a matching number of Indian joints. Some is good, none is bad, all is very close to my house.
Water (see mountains). Except for vertical miles of precipice it's more like horizontal miles of glossiness.
Shrubbery, greenery. It's a "green" city and it's a green city. Beautiful flowers/weeds grow in every nook and cranny, including purple flowers cascading out of our stone wall.
Weather. It's surprisingly pleasant. I know you don't believe me. That's OK. I don't believe you, either.
Coffee. Duh.
Doughnuts! Organic doughnuts! 500 calorie doughnuts! Delicious doughnuts!
Being 10 blocks from Trader Joes, 9 blocks from Whole Foods, 7 blocks from the neighborhood farmer's market. There should be a loyalty program at these places.
Seattle Public Library. I went in to pick up Rachel Getting Married, Burn After Reading, Manhattan, The Edge of Heaven, and Traitor on DVD. Sweet haul right? I perused the CD section and walked out with 15 CDs that I was actively interested in. This is free? I really feel like I am ripping someone off.
Live and let live. All in all, people are down with being who they are. There is minimal hassle, little trouble. Though, the people at Cafe Racer down the street push this positive nearly into the negative. I'll let it slide. Just keep your mustache growing, PBR drinking, tuba playing selves out of the street when I am rounding the corner.
Other stuff. Including hating on Seattle.

Aside from missing friends and family Seattle is shaping up to be prettttty, prettttyyyy good.

This Blog Needs Updated

2009-04-29T22:56:00.000-07:00

Sadly, I didn't think there was anything wrong with the first answer before I met Kirsty. Well, she is the only person who was vocal about my incorrect usage. What can I say? Lancaster County, born and raised.

Fuck verbs. And grammar. Where is the chicken corn soup at?

Where is my mind?

2009-04-23T21:12:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of http://tinyurl.com/d5plvk, Creative Commons License

Ripped out and raped by my boss, that's where.

That's right. John has been working and thus he has bitching to do. My long absence from updating this beast is directly related to the propensity of my colleague calling me multiple times a day (5 today, 6 yesterday, etc.).

I got a temporary gig working addresses for the Census Bureau. I help my colleague manage a team of 15 who in turn comb the streets verifying addresses in an attempt to ready the 2010 Census.

I tend to bitch a lot about working. It's mainly because I don't like to (perfectly obvious). Usually people are nice to me and its the monotony or idiocy of the work that lulls me to bitch. This time, it's my colleague who feels the need to verbally molest with tones of superiority. I, John, am the mingling. I, John, feel the shit run downstream. Quotes:

If you continue to act like this, you and I are going to have serious issues.

I gave you 5-6 nonverbal expressions that said 'shut the fuck up.'

In many fields you going around my back would be grounds for termination.

This is why I don't like this work. All in all, I work with great people, the job keeps me busy, and the pay is good. This is the second time this week I've been talked down to like a child. The other was when I told him I was going to a baseball game (7:10 pm). That didn't sit well. Apparently I need to be on-call at hours. There is an age gap and I think I am the recipient of some reverse agism. During our training discrimination was covered quite a bit. This includes gender, disability, sexuality, and age (over 40). What about the other way, huh? What about old, stodgy farts who feel exempt from treating people with dignity.

I better get into graduate school.

On a lighter note, I got to see a pretty good baseball game (Griffey Jr. is on back on the Mariners!). However, that elusive first Ichiro hit still stands. Also, I checked out some tulips, sea mammals, and lots of water up north. Also, I got a case of Red Hook Double Black Out Stout for $20. Bonus. So, temperamental boss aside, it's been going OK.

We are also going to Portland this weekend to see Dooris and my cousin. That should be fun.

Oh, we also hit up a used book sale the other weekend. Everything was a dollar (including unabridged dictionaries and Kramer-style coffee table atlases). I found a lot of other great stuff including a book by William Mitchell (a prominent urban theorist), The World Without Us, a book on the science of old-school mapping, The Digital Dialectic, a book by Junot Diaz, a Hemingway book I didn't have, Nature by Emerson. Kirsty found a stock of Hermann Hesse and Kurt Vonnegut books. To gain access to the sale we had to become "Friends of the Library." This involved biking downtown in rush hour to get a pass before 6pm. It was maddening.

Ok, this rambling, structureless post will now be put out of its misery. Wait, I forgot to mention full of pity. Pity me. Please?

Thank you.

Good night.

Beer: The Espresso Yeti, The Goose Island Bourbon

2009-04-01T22:35:00.000-07:00

This is the most pointless post ever. It's where I tell you about beer that I bought but have not consumed. Exciting, I know.

I bought two bottles of the Great Divide Espresso Oak Aged Yeti from Bottleworks in Seattle (Wallingford). It's supposed to be phenomenal. I will find out.

I also heard that Goose Island is slowly getting out to Seattle. I went up to the Whole Foods and inquired about their Bourbon County Stout being available. The tall beer guy, who has the best job in the world, evaded and circled my question.

"Yeah, we do have it. You're the first customer who has asked about it. It's in the back. I can get some if you want any or you can just wait until I put it out. We haven't sold any yet. But just let me know if you want any. It's not out yet. Just let me know. It's not yet."

"How much is it?" "$18.99 a four-pack."

Looks at Kirsty for validation. Approval!

"Yeah, I'll take a four-pack."

Gets four-pack.

"Yeah, you are my first customer. It's not out yet. We were going to buy it all for ourselves" (nervous laughter, slight grimace as he hands me the beer).

And so it went. But at least I got my mits on these beauties.

We are going to drink two of these boozers and cellar the other two (also, drink one Yeti, save the other). I am excited.

Streaming Music with Lala

2009-03-31T14:21:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of Jeremy Farmer Photog (Creative Commons)

I just realized I can embed the Lala player into my blog and you can listen to the albums I recommended a few posts ago (last post?). Sweet ass sweet. Look for more obnoxious streaming of music in the future. I don't think you can jump ahead so the player requires patience. It's actually refreshing to see a bit of new technology that doesn't encourage haste or at least discourages it a little.

Arthur & Yu - In Camera

In Camera - Arthur & Yu

St. Vincent - Marry Me

Marry Me - St. Vincent

I saw Black Mountain on Friday night. They were pretty kick ass. I drunkenly bought a beer for the bassist (standup) of the opening band. He had a beer in hand and gave me the "I already have a beer you crazy fuck, I don't need another." I was persistent and he acquiesced. He then, begrudgingly, drank the swill. It was the high point of the night. This all happened after making a stop at the Safeway (after two happy hours) to purchase a Tilt energy/booze drink to consume on the way to the concert. I spent the next hour holding my stomach and feeling my teeth rot out of my mouth. Definite low point. I then ordered a rum and coke. The music was good, as mentioned, hence the sideshow details. Life is in the details, right? Anyway, If you haven't heard 'In the Future', here you go:

In The Future - Black Mountain

Is an Arts Roundup Pretentious?

2009-03-24T21:56:00.000-07:00

Well, push came to shove and the federal government saw it fit that they hire me. I am on a short-term assignment with the U.S. Census Bureau: working as a crew leader assistant on the decennial census. Training mode has hit hard and I still don't know what I will be doing. It's some money and it will be good experience.

However, I do have thoughts on stuff, mainly stuff pertaining to the subtitle of this blog.

Movies,

I've seen a few movies recently, some of them for the second time. I saw The Matrix for the first time in a lot of years, perhaps eight or nine? Anyway, it went from an action movie with philosophical undertones and cheesy production (in the sewer where their ship is) to a movie that, for the most part, fails to choose what kind of movie it wants to be. Some might argue that it merges sci-fi, philosophy, and action perfectly. The movie was very disparate in these three themes. I knew when it was being an action movie, a movie about ideas, science fiction. It just didn't work for me.

Another movie that I watched for the second time: Match Point. I really think this is a great movie. It's amazing to look at. The world that Woody Allen paints is so rich and so tangible that it jumps off the screen. Even Scarlett Johansson, whom has always underwhelmed, pulls off a very nice performance. Her mannerisms and emotion is perfectly believeable while never being showy or self-aware (see Scoop which I just started to watch and turned off). The movie is not very haha funny though there is some dark humor, so that might offend some Woody Allen fans. The deft direction never calls attention to itself though it carefully creates scenes that compelled me to continue viewing with eyes wide. I will definitely come back to this one a few years down the line.

I am seeing an advanced screening (free!) of Adventureland tomorrow. I am pleased about this.

Music,

In trying to get caught up with music that will be at Sasquatch I discovered two great albums:

St. Vincet: Marry Me
A great album by this Brooklyn chick who has been all over and I didn't even know it. According to all-knowing Wikipedia, she was a member of The Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Steven's Touring Band and opened for lots of bands. Anyway, this album is fantastic. I don't even know how to explain so I won't. Just check it out.

Arthur and Yu: In Camera
Apparently they are from Seattle. Who knew? This album has been on repeat for three weeks now. It's a quiet album that is like the lead singer of Clinic playing with a toned-down version of the Velvet Underground while displaying Fleet Foxes tenderness. It's folky? It's home-recording-ish? It's great.

Checking out Black Mountain on Friday at Neumo's in Seattle. Sweet.

I saw Plants and Animals last Tuesday. For those of you astute readers you will know this was one of my favorite albums of last year. Someone at the concert asked me if I was there to see Plants and Animals or if I just happened upon the show because it was St. Patrick's Day. I replied: "it was my fourth favorite album of last year." Jesus, what a loser. It was a good time...though it wasn't mixed quite right. Maybe it was the venue but the sound blended together too much.

Ideas,

Not many here.

I miss not working and being able to cook dinner. Thinking about graduate school. Thinking about a beer Web site that lists what beers are on tap in Seattle. Very mundane. Sorry.

Oh, life without cable is quite nice. We were even able to watch Obama's press conference on Hulu. We haven't missed cable, except for the lack of Sunday Morning in its fullness.

We did go to the Vegetarian Festival over the weekend. We got lots of free samples and ate some good food.

Oh, because I don't have a section for books, here: I just read A Moveable Feast by Hemingway. Having read five, I think, of his books, I can say that he is one of my favorite authors. I am so envious of his style, of his life, of his legacy.

These arent's ideas. These are comments and observations!

And Probably Beer

Not much to report here. I am eagerly awaiting Espresso Aged Yeti Stout from Great Divide. How did Zenos get a keg of this shit before Seattle even got a bottle?

I have a bottle of Full Sail Imperial Porter waiting for me in the fridge (along with some Dogfish Head Palo Santo Maron, Victory Old Hoirzontal, and Deschutes Dissident).

Went to my fifth (I think) "brewery tour" at Redhook on Sunday. A dollar gets you the "tour," six 4-5 oz samples, and you keep the glass. It's pretty sweet. I have really come around on their ESB...my go if Coors, Bud, or Miller dominate the tap handles at the bar.

Photos used with Creative Commons license agreement. Repsectively, thank you to the following: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ming2046/2889500402/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/kmar/919051162/sizes/o/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/zen/698451685/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumpershine/1512594266/sizes/o/,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/scpgt/2781099368/sizes/l/

Curry with Potatoes, Cauliflower, Peas, and Garbanzos

2009-03-19T21:04:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of Andrew Pierce, Flickr.

I live across the street from a great Indian restaurant. Every time you walk down the street, even a block away, the scent of simmering curry wafts down the sidewalk and blasts your nostrils. This is a good thing.

I have been trying to make a decent Indian dish--decent in that it mimics what is served in American Indian restaurants--for many years. Much like my peanut noodles from last month, this recipe hits the mark.

Living with a vegetarians means that I am a vegetarian by proximity. Hence, I need to find and make vegetarian food. I found this recipe on America's Test Kitchen (after getting one of the books from the library and, subsequently, signing up for a free 2-week trial of their Web site). I'm not sure if I'm allowed to reproduce the recipe but what the heck...spreading their good food is kind of like advertisting for them, right?

Behold, Curry with Potatoes, Cauliflower, Peas, and Garbanzos. This is what you'll need:

2 T Curry Powder
1 1/2 t garam masala
1/4 cup veg oil
2 onions, chopped
12 oz red potatoes
3 garlic gloves, minced
hot chiles (i used 1 jalapeno [should've used 2], try serrano or thai)
1 T tomato paste
1 T grated ginger, fresh
4 cups cauliflower florets (edible sized)
1 can diced tomatoes, pulsed in blender or food processor
1 1/4 cups water
1 can chickpeas
1 t NaCl
8 oz frozen peas
1/4 cup heavy cream

Toast the dry spices on medium-high heat for about minute. Shake or stir pan so you don't burn the spices. Remove, set aside.

Heat 3 T oil in dutch oven or large soup pot. Add onions and potatoes and cook about 10 minutes until they start to brown. Reduce heat if browning occurs too quickly. Don't rush this. You are giving the potatoes a nice head start in cooking. If you are hasty, you will have mushy cauliflower and hard potatoes. And that's no good.

Reduce heat to medium, make a well in the pot and add remaining 1 T of oil, garlic, ginger, chile, and tomato paste. Stir and cook about 30 seconds. Add toasted spices, stir, cook about 1 minute. Add cauliflower, stir until coated with spice.

Add tomatoes, water, chickpeas and 1 t of NaCl. Increase heat and bring to boil. Scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen brown bits (lots of flavor there...I was nervous while cooking the onions and potatoes that I was burning it...don't worry about it...have a sip of wine if you are freaking out). Cover, reduce heat, simmer ~10-15 minutes until veggies are tender. Stir in peas and cream and heat for about 2 minutes.

Serve with rice and rest calmly now that you have discovered the perfect curry dish (without going to the Indian restaurant).

This week marked a hat trick in awesome dinners: Penne alla Vodka on Tuesday (courtesy of America's Test kitchen...again, this was awesome. If you want the recipe, let me know), this curry dish on Wednesday, and spicy peanut noodles tonight (Thursday).

Boy A Photography

2009-03-17T00:27:00.000-07:00

I just watched the movie Boy A. I'm feeling rather lazy and don't feel like writing lot.

BUT, I must comment, while still fresh in the mind, on the amazing photography in this movie. It's been a while since I've been so dazzled by such simple elegance. Everything from the lighting, composition (my god, the angles in this movie), and use of focus was spot-on.

Most cinematography is cluttered and ostentatious, calling attention to itself with gimmicks like (de)saturated colors or overproduced frames. Boy A takes the opposite route, opting for a reserved production design that ultimately photographs very cleanly, very elegantly. This is not to say that the photography hindered the narrative because the it's missing some production details (like a Wes Anderson film). I honestly thought that the source material was a graphic novel. It views like one, I think. I don't know actually, I've never read a graphic novel.

The story was good...propelled by a simple idea that created tension and a strong sense of sincerity and genuineness. But, the draw here was how the cinematographer (and to a lesser extent the editor) really dictated the overall tone of the film.

Apologies for pretending to know how movies work and for using words like saturation, cinematographer, composition, source material, and idea.

Blind Double IPA Tasting

2009-03-15T16:22:00.001-07:00

Kirsty, Matt (Kirsty's brother) and I had a little blind Double IPA tasting yesterday. I was very surprised with the results, especially how mixed they are.

It was difficult to taste 9 really hoppy beers consecutively (we didn't have 27 tasting glasses so we went one at a time). Kirsty was "above" being influenced by label or previous discussion so she was designate beer wench. This worked out nicely.

The first beer, Moylan's Hopsickle crushed my palate making the next beer, Speakeasy Double Daddy, seem very, very sweet. And so it went. While the tasting was fun I don't plan on doing another with such hoppy beers or in succession...it would have been nice to sniff and taste them all together.

Anyhoo, Speakeasy Double Daddy was our collective favorite and the Moylan's Hopsickle was the collective least favorite (these, incidentally, were the first two we tasted...interesting). My favorite was Russian River Pliny the Elder (the last beer I tasted) and my least favorite was Left Hand Twin Sisters. Here are the results. Remember, the lower the score the better.

Tuba Gooding, Jr. Checks Out Serena's Ass

2009-03-12T23:09:00.001-07:00

I have been watching clips of the Late Night Show with Jimmy Fallon out of shear curiosity. I think it's unanimously understood that Fallon sucked on SNL. But, with his own show his suckiness and awkwardness is sometimes a little bit winning. Plus The Roots is the house band. What the fuck?

Anyway, I was watching a clip of Jimmy Fallon playing Serena Williams (tennis player) in beer pong. Williams schools Fallon. The point of interest is The Roots' tuba player, Tuba Gooding, Jr. and his triple take checking out Serena's ass.

Quite hilarious.

Ranting on the Cost of Higher Education

2009-03-12T07:37:00.000-07:00

Photo (minus the $) courtesy of Annemare Mountz, Penn State Department of Public Information

I came across a paper from second grade that asked my young mind to fill in some questions:

What is your favorite color? Red
What is your favorite food? Pizza
Where do you want to go to college? Penn State

I always wanted to go to Penn State. There was never another choice, really. What was the point of applying to other schools? There wasn't so I didn't.

Unfortunately, I--in second grade or in twelfth grade when I applied to Penn State--never really knew the true costs of higher education. Of course it was expensive but never did I think that the cost of a Penn State tuition would increase so dramatically during my enrollment nor did I foresee so much debt after graduation. Honestly, I didn't go to college to make money (you know what I'm talking about...Trading Places Dan Akroyd type money) . However, I did go to college to make money, to make a living. Aside from the education that would allow me to make a living, I might also have a food fight in the dining commons, drag a ladder over to a sorority house and peer in the second floor window, and drink beer.

Yesterday on KUOW's The Conversation, the host was speaking with a a guest about how student loan debt is the most oppressive debt in American history due its lack of consumer protection. While I can't fully agree with his "most" posturing I can certainly agree that it's oppressive, stifling, and yeah, I'll say it, unfair.

I majored in geography at Penn State. There were four options from which I could choose and I chose human geography, the least employable. While the material was rich beyond my expectations it didn't impart marketable skills.

At the time it didn't matter. Admittedly, I am one of those people who earnestly states that college was the best four years of my life. Everything about it was essentially great. But with greatness comes indebtedness.

How much was my education? Here is the breakdown (I attended school for 9 semesters from spring 2001-spring 2005 [which includes a semester abroad], perhaps I should have cut out that last semester).

Now, 4 years after graduation, I am experiencing the true costs associated with higher education. Sure there is the obvious student loan debt ($45,000 + interest) but this is only the primary cost. That borrowed money has brought forth other debt and other burdens. The monthly payments, which will continue until 2025, have been the single largest monthly expense since graduating.

Trying to make monthly payments has forced me to get credits cards. More debt.

Perhaps I was little irresponsible but I never worked (unless you count some on-and-off tutoring and summer jobs/internships) while in school. To me college was about education and experience. I would have the entire rest of my life to work, why would I want to miss the football game or party or fail a test for some shit-ass minimum wage job? Even with this gripe about post-college debt I still wouldn't change a thing.

I hate the social expectation to go to college. Actually, it's a great thing. I hate how the "old people" tell you to go to college but don't offer much advice on how to pay for it. As a just-17 year old with no real-world experience I borrowed thousands and thousands of dollars. I was told that college would give me an education which would give me a well-paying job that would payback those student loans. I've always been gullible so it was an easy pill to swallow.

I couldn't legally smoke a cigarette, buy a scratch off, look at porn, vote, fight, rent a car, see an NC-17 movie but I could borrow 10k? How was I supposed to know the ramifications of my decisions when I don't know what booze tastes like? I was supposed to know what my life was going to be like in 4 years? I don't think so.

As I mentioned, I studied geography. The cost of a geography degree is only slightly cheaper than an engineering or business degree (which are higher due to lab costs I believe). The marketable qualities an engineer or business major receive (regardless of the point I am trying to make I will always rip on business majors...always) are much more conducive to higher starting salaries than a human geographer. Even the stupid engineers get jobs (trust me, I know).

Sure, you can tell me that I just didn't know the right people or didn't work hard enough. This may be true but the whole point is I worked fucking hard in college and came out with a head full of ideas, perspectives, and experiences but next-to-nothing that could help me land a job.

Full disclosure: I don't want to work. I would rather ride my bike and travel and watch movies and drink beer. Fully achieve slackerdom, you know? HOWEVER, I know that I have to work and I have worked really hard in trying work just to pay back those stupid loans that got me an education that was supposed to help find me a job that would help pay back those loans.

In twelfth grade I confirmed my enrollment at Penn State for the fall semester thus making classes essentially meaningless (I know you always hear how your senior year matters but I imagine it doesn't means shit). Why not fill that time with some real world skills, like paying for college? Getting a job? Paying bills. In all of my education not once was I required to take a class that taught real-world skills. They are happy to take your money and teach you theory but once you graduate, toodles, you are on your own.

I know this post is immensely jaded and that is because it is. I get sick of hearing how much student loan debt a person supposedly has (call me up if you want to hear about debt). While I didn't work my way through college I certainly paid (err, am paying for 20 years) my way through. There is no point to this paragraph. I just want to make you feel bad.

I apologize for this tone of entitlement (Scooter, if you are reading, double apologies to you). I could riff on for another 10,000 words about the hypocrisies of higher education, of money, of the real-world. But the best remedy is probably passive acceptance (which I do well) and the realization that life is unfair. I just need to deal with it.

Goodbye Comcast; Living Without Cable

2009-03-11T14:54:00.001-07:00

Well, we will keep the internet.

St. Patrick's Day will open (or close) a new chapter in our life: no more cable TV. This will be the first time in, I think, 5 years when I will not have ready access to cable. I am looking forward to the absence.

Why, you ask, would we do such a thing? Well, for a variety of reasons.

1) We don't watch much TV. We usually watch TV out of shear boredom, not interest. Yes, I do like cooking shows, 30 Rock, The Office, and Sunday Morning but I can get this stuff online through hulu, CBS News, or just read about cooking in cookbooks or blogs.

2) We don't watch 98% of the channels we have yet have to pay for all of them. We have an HDTV and in order to get the HD channels you have to buy all of the digital shit that comes before it. You end up paying for 130 useless channels just so you can get 20 HD channels. Not worth it.

3) Comcast is shitty. I guess it's sort of protesting their unfair business practices.

4) We will save about $75 dollars a month or almost $1000 a year. That's a vacation, good food, sweet things.

Yes I know it's kind of sad that this is even an event but it is. Maybe we will, like, you know, talk more. Read more. Watch more movies. Live fuller. I hope. Jesus, I hope.

Pressing Issues During These Pressing Times

2009-03-06T00:41:00.000-08:00

Shit, I didn't even know that lil wayne was supposed to be dead. Maybe he isn't. I don't know. Obama the antichrist? Really? I didn't know people were debating this!

I am so out of the loop. Luckily, I can stay up to speed with this brilliant shortcut.

There is a certain little web site out there that helps you find the shit you need. Let's call it 'gaggle.' On gaggle, you can start typing a word and the auto-complete tries to guess what you are thinking. This is not news, I know. In fact, you may encounter this little quip everyday and giggle at gaggle's suggestions. But man, what a little sociology experiment. Plus, I don't have to read the news. I can create it and then tell other people about these nuggets of newsiness. The great minds in this country help to answer my questions. I love it!

Questions are the best. It's interesting to see the results when you type legality of. Most results pertain to the legality of online music, soft drugs, money (taxes, getting fired), death (assisted suicide, suicide), and marriage (of one's cousin). Clearly these questions are on the people's minds and apparently the people in charge aren't helping us in answering them. Otherwise, what, we would have to read a book or something? And that's not really feasible.

I don't know how much we can read into these or if it even matters. But it does seem like it's a little barometer on the pulse of America. Sadly, the barometer isn't very reassuring. I guess I can't fault us for being inquisitive and the anonymity is an added bonus. Plus, sometimes we just don't have anyone else to ask.

Granola

2009-03-04T15:37:00.001-08:00

Granola is expensive but I like it so much. If you buy a box of granola you get, what, 7 bowls out of it for $3? No thanks. Homemade is the way to go.

Here is a quality mix of spice and fiber. Granola is very resilient. If you don't like a particular flavor or ingredient, omit it. It's all about personal preference and experimentation. Below is my favorite concoction.

Preheat oven to 300 F.

Mix in a bowl:

4 cups oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 t NaCl
1/2 t cinnamon (I usually add 3/4-1 t)
1/4 t ground nutmeg
handful of pumpkin seeds
handful of flax seeds
1/2-1 cup of nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans, etc.)

Heat on stove:

1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4-1/3 cup maple syrup
2 T honey
2 T sugar

When the sugar is dissolved remove oil/syrup/honey from the heat. Add 1-2 T vanilla extract depending on how much you like vanilla (I opt for 2 T).

Mix oil/syrup/honey with the dry ingredients until well incorporated. Spread on a large baking sheet (I use a basting pan...it's big and has walls). Put in oven.

It usually takes about 45 minutes until the granola is nice and crunchy. I stir after 15 minutes, again after 15 minutes, again after 10 minutes, and remove after another 5 minutes. The granola should be nicely browned and fragrant. It's your call how long you cook it. You don't like it so crispy, don't cook it so long. You like it burnt, then burn it.

I recommend buying most of the above ingredients from the bulk area of the grocery store...oats, flax seeds, nuts, pumpkin seeds. It will be much cheaper in the end. Everything else you should have around the house. I don't know what the price per ounce cost is but oats cost about $0.89 a pound, seeds are cheap, nuts are kind of expensive. I'm guessing it costs about $1.50 a box to make this better, homemade version (though adding 2 T of vanilla jacks the price up...vanilla ain't cheap).

This version stays crunchy with milk (there is no puffed rice used as an additive...that usually gets soggy quite fast). It's good with yogurt. It's good by itself. Enjoy!

Why must you be so confounding, art?

2009-03-03T22:11:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brixton/303258959/sizes/o/

I just finished watching the documentary "My Kid Could Paint That." Jesus H. This movie raised a lot of questions: none of which were answered. That's good. It left a lot to the brains of the audience.

Here's the premise: a four-year-old from Binghamton, NY creates mesmerizing abstract paintings that are reminiscent of Jackson Pollock (hence the image at the top). The film explores her creations but also explores the origins of her creations. Could a four year old really paint that? There are many points in the film where a camera is trying (because a camera tries, of course) to capture young Marla's creative process. There is one scene where a local gallery owner who hawks Marla's paintings likens her works to Dali, Picasso, etc. Meanwhile the father and mother vehemently deny helping Marla with any of the paintings (the relationship between these two is interestingly portrayed). While there is much questioning of the painting's authenticity, the central question here is: what is the nature of art? Who creates it? How is it created? How should it be monetized?

I am reading this book called I Am A Strange Loop by Douglas Hofstadter. Hofstadter is a professor of cognitive science at Indiana University. You see, I must include his academic vita for I am romantically obsessed with being a professor at something at so-and-so University. If I relate and write about these people perhaps I will become one? ANYWAY, he writes about consciousness, the self, I. Early on, he publishes a diagram showing the relationship between age and the size of your soul. He posits or perhaps "knows" through pain-staking research that the older you get, the bigger your soul is. While there is much lost in translation from his eloquence and my lack thereof the point is a person's soul grows with age. A two year old and the accompanying soul is markedly different from that of a twenty year olds'. This is at the heart of his thinking. To further clarify, Hofstadter is a firm believer that a fertilized human egg is not a human in the same sense that you and I are humans. That might help paint the picture clearer.

At the heart of My Kid Could Paint That lies the debate over Marla's age. What if a thirty year old painted what she painted? Would that change the perception of her art? The sale price? Shit, and now relating to Hofstadter, is a four year old capable of creating abstract images that rival the themes of a thirty year old? Does it matter? A four year old doesn't have the depth of soul or the benefit of experience that a thirty year old has. Does this inhibit art? Does it inhibit the way in which art is perceived? To that end, what is abstract art? Is it reactionary? Is it from the gut? Is it what feels right? Is it political? Is it all of these things?

After the watching the film I watched a few of the bonus features. While at a screening at Sundance, the director states that Marla's parents vehemently deny collaborating or coaching during Marla's process. Where does collaboration end and true artistic expression begin? Kirsty and I discussed the notion of coaching soccer and instructing a young kid on playing the violin. Because there is instruction and coaching, does this detract from the kid's performance on the soccer field or playing first chair? I think not. However, coaching a person while painting is a little different. Abstract painting, to me, is an art where there is the minimal self-censorship. Your fingers, your paint, your brush serve as conduits to what is going on inside your cranial vault. This is little time or room for coaching or for others to tell you what to do. Instinct kicks in until instinct tells you to stop.

Photo courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98946220@N00/798089933/sizes/o/

I was introduced to Andy Goldsworthy a few years ago. One of his works is above. (I couldn't find a Creative Commons licensed picture of one of his outdoor pieces so you have to deal with this indoor installation.) He works with constructions of nature that utilize the surrounding resources. It's about a moment or it's about standing the test of time--though many are indeed ephemeral. The paint might be some twigs while the canvas is a stream. How the two are juxtaposed, how they relate, differ, and meld is all part of it. Many of his works are sexual which is interesting considering the naturalness of his canvas. The point is: Andy Goldsworthy is famous. His works get commissioned from famous people to the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. He, the man, Andy Goldsworthy, can't possibly create, physically create, all of his works. It requires a team to construct Andy's vision; his artistic horizon. His works, especially those more permanent, require a whole team of helpers. He can't quite complete his entire vision. Brute force is needed in hauling stone and creating assemblages that sometimes twist and weave for hundreds of feet (see Storm King Art Center in New York).

Consider Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. You may know him from creating the artwork on some of Kanye West's albums (Graduation). He was recently commissioned to create shit for Louis Vuitton. While Takashi surely designed the Kanye work, the LV work, and his other stuff, does the fact that it's reproduced with such ubiquity make it less genuine?

What about large-scale sculptors? The sculptor creates the design but it takes a small army to execute the vision. Whose art is it? The originator of the idea? The people who build it? Where is the line?

All this comes back to the question of Marla's art. Is it genuine, authentic if her dad helped? I guess genuineness and authenticity may not be a prescribed element for all art but in the case of abstract painting it's important. People liked her art. I like her art. If she was helped, does this make it inherently less likable?

Marla was clearly a four year old. While she wasn't necessarily oblivious to the camera and the attention being paid to her she did exhibit a sort of ignorance to her art. I know this statement sounds condescending. I just called a four year old ignorant for not appreciating her art. But, if you see the film, you will see what I mean.

That gallery owner, who gets rich off of Marla's paintings? He's a bit of a scheister. Ever the opportunist, he fully embraces Marla's gift even when contradicting himself morally. Like I said, he likens her paintings to Dali and Picasso. Is this fair? Again, relating to Hoftadter and the size of one's soul, can a four year posses the faculties and the cognizant awareness of an adult Picasso, Dali? Their paintings were derived from a much larger soul than that of Marla's (assuming we buy Hofstadter's assertions). Can they be equal?

There are many instances where various media want to capture Marla creating the art. All of the works that are photographed clearly do not match up with her other paintings. They are less cohesive, less focused thematically, and less polished (these words are uttered in the special features but I assure you they were percolating while watching the film). If the girl created these beautiful swaths of color, holy shit, she is amazing. If her parents helped, then they still look good it's just not as good. In this case, I need authenticity and genuineness. By asserting that there was no coaching and, if in truth there was, then the paintings, while still beautiful, become less credible and less powerful. If the dad on his own created them then I would still be astonished. I don't like the lying. I suppose there is room for lying in art (like in Fargo where, at the beginning, the Coens state that the story is true) but in this context there simply is no margin for this type of deceit.

Sasquatch!

2009-03-03T21:10:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hejl/2529441343/sizes/o/

In January Beach House and The Walkmen played in Seattle. I did not go. Department of Eagles played later in January. I did not go. Broken Social Scene played in February. I did not go.

Well, in May I get to make up for my past musical sins. I am going to Sasquatch. I'm a little excited and am going to brag.

I always wanted to go to Bonnaroo but it was always so far away. Plus it seemed too massive and too much of a weird crowd. Fratties. Hippies. Indies. Normals. I'm all about inclusion and cohesion but it looked like too much a coalescence of culture. Did I mention it was too far away?

By moving to Seattle, I inadvertently became much closer to another quality music festival: Sasquatch. Sasquatch is in the middle of nowhere Washington state. It's an amphitheater venue with beautiful scrubland and the Columbia river gorge serving as the backdrop. My experience with amphitheaters has been limited to Pittsburgh (which is good) and Philadelphia (which is actually in Camden, NJ...need I say more?). The place looks beautiful and majestic and hopefully has a good sound system.

We are camping out for the three days. Must...remember...to...bring...deodorant. Anyhoo, the most important thing is the lineup. It blows Bonnaroo out of the water. Never before have I seen a list of so many artists that I actively want to see, not merely wanting to see them out of convenience. Granted, the headliners are a bit shitty the rest of the lineup is quality.

Here is the lineup with the bands I want to see bolded (and pink because just bold didn't really show up):

Saturday, May 23th
Kings of Leon / Yeah Yeah Yeahs / The Decemberists / Animal Collective / Bon Iver / Devotchka / M. Ward / Doves / Sun Kil Moon / The Gaslight Anthem / King Khan & The Shrines / Ra Ra Riot / Shearwater / Passion Pit / Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band / Vince Mira / Blind Pilot / Owl City / Arthur & Yu / Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele / Death Vessel / Hockey / People's Republic of Komedy / James Pants / Todd Barry / Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!

Sunday, May 24th
Jane's Addiction / Nine Inch Nails / TV On The Radio / of Montreal / The Avett Brothers / Calexico / M83 / The Airborne Toxic Event / The Walkmen / The Wrens / St. Vincent / The Dodos / John Vanderslice / The Submarines / Viva Voce / The Builders And The Butchers / AA Bondy / Fences / Point Juncture, WA / The Red Wine Boys / The Murder City Devils / Zach Galifianakis / Deadmau5 / Natalie Portman's Shaved Head / People's Republic of Komedy

Monday, May 25th
Ben Harper and Relentless7 / Erykah Badu / Silversun Pickups / Fleet Foxes / Gogol Bordello / Santigold / Grizzly Bear / Explosions In The Sky / Girl Talk / Blitzen Trapper / The Knux / Monotonix / Bishop Allen / Black Moth Super Rainbow / Beach House / Mugison / The Dutchess And The Duke / School Of Seven Bells / Horse Feathers / The Pica Beats / Loch Lomond / BLK JKS / Demetri Martin / God's Pottery / Chromeo / Tobacco / People's Republic of Komedy

I want to see others but the bolded are the ones I really want to see. While NIN and Jane's Addiction are a bit of letdown for main-billers, they might be fun to see. If they conflict with any of the bolded, forget about it.

Do you think I really shouldn't miss someone? Let me know.

Right, I'm done bragging.

State of the Union Drinking Game

2009-02-24T22:26:00.000-08:00

Well, Barack Obama just finished his unofficial State of the Union address. Speaking before Congress, the Supreme Court, and the American Public, Obama addressed critical issues facing America. With much applauding and standing ovations this address felt a little more...err, hopeful, than the past eight with W.

W. was full of fodder for college kids who needed an excuse to drink. Bush references 9/11? Drink! Terrorism? Drink. Squinty eye laugh? Drink. Drink another just to forget this asshole is running our country.

But with Obama's intellect and eloquence it's a little more difficult to pick at his character. Alas, we need more ammo. Let's spread the love to the floor (and pedestal) of congress. Hopefully we won't feel the need to drown our sorrows during the next four or eight years but just in case you college folks need another reason to drink while Obama is in office, here you go:

Obama swaggers, anywhere: Drink 2
Nancy Pelosi tongues her cheek or bites her lip: Drink 1
See a cabinet member: Drink 1
Obama provokes laughter: Drink 3
Joe Lieberman being a douche (read: existing): Drink 2
Standing ovation: Drink 1
There is a lone republican standing during ovation: Drink 5
Obama says terrorism: Drink 2
Obama wears a blue tie: Drink 2
Obama wears a red tie: Drink 1
Nancy Pelosi doesn't clap when everyone else does: Drink 5
See a ringer in the crowd that is meant to draw sentiment and emotion: Drink 1 for each
John Kerry's hair fills the frame: Drink 3
Joe Biden flashes his pearly whites: Drink 2
Obama says "Because you don't mess around with Joe": Goldmine: chug your beer!
Seeing Obama speak with relative confidence while George W. Bush sits at home in Texas: Cheers with your mates

Sidenote: If Bobby Jindal's reaction was his "coming out" party then I think the Republicans may have shot themselves in the foot. I just don't get Republicans and their contrarian viewpoints. Let's do nothing and assume that American ingenuity will fix our wrongs? That's really your best plan? Do nothing? Fuck it. Republicans have been gloriously out-of-touch for a number of years and it looks like the young, rising-star that is supposedly Jindal didn't help the cause.

Oatmeal Applesauce Blueberry Muffins

2009-02-24T21:19:00.000-08:00

I've been reading a lot of food blogs recently. Joy the Baker. Smitten Kitchen. I even found one that is done by a girl with whom I graduated: Ja Cię Kocham.

While perusing Joy the Baker's blog I came across some delicious muffins. Get this: there is no butter, a little oil, whole wheat, applesauce, oats, low fat buttermilk, blueberries. Minimal fat? Check. Whole grain? Check. High in fiber? Check. Antioxidants? Check. Lower sugar? Check.

Keep in mind, this is not my recipe and I give full credit to Joy the Baker...just figured I would share considering I just made my 7th dozen in about 4 or 5 weeks.

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Dry Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cups oats
1 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t NaCl
1/2 t cinnamon

Mix together.

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup applesauce
1/2 cup lowfat buttermilk
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 T canola oil
1 large egg

Fold wet ingredients into dry. Fold in 1 cup of blueberries (I use frozen). Don't overmix.

Spoon evenly into a 12 muffin pan. Bake ~18 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

These things are amazing in the morning with a cup of coffee. Perfect.

The Movie Haul

2009-02-23T21:12:00.000-08:00

Last night were the Academy Awards where everyone in Hollywood patted themselves on the back. Or did they? The show had a distinctive international flair with Spanish, British, Indian accents (and Sophia Loren being all minxie) spewing forth for most major awards. Though the same can be said last year when Javier Bardem and Marion Cotillard (offset by the Coens stoically and tersely accepting the Best Picture award) won top acting awards, this year seemed decidedly not-Hollywood.

While the night was rather dull and the selections up for awards underwhelming, it was refreshing to see such a mix, in all sense of the word (shit, a dead guy won), of winners.

Speaking of the Oscars, I watched Harold and Kumar: Escape from Guantanamo Bay after the show. Thank you Seattle Public Library.

Over the past two or three months I have seen a lot of movies. In no particular order:

Mission Impossible III (\)
Charlie Wilson's War (\)
Goodfellas (+)
The Fall (+)
Wild Strawberries (+)
Across the Universe (*)
Waking Life (+)
Smart People (\)
The Corporation (+)
Back to the Future (+)
Shortbus (+)
The International (\)
Blood Diamond (\)
American Hardcore (\)
Shoot 'Em Up (\)
Running With Scissors (-)
Rescue Dawn (+)
The Mist (-)
Mas Max (+)
Junebug (+)
Talk To Her (+)
Waitress (\)
I'm Not There (\)
The Wrestler (+)
The Puffy Chair (+)
Slumdog Millionaire (+)
The Lookout (+)
Half Nelson (+)
Lars and the Real Girl (+)
Mysterious Skin (\)
Dance Party USA (\)
Quiet City (\)
Eastern Promises (-)
The Fountain (-)
Funny Ha Ha (*)
LOL (*)
Southland Tales (*)
No Country for Old Men (+)
In the Valley of Elah (+)
Atonement (+)
The Iron Giant (-)
Insomnia (original) (*)
Insomnia (remake) (+)
Funny Games (+)
Million Dollar Baby (+)
Hannah Takes the Stairs (\)
American Gangster (-)
301/302 (+)
Husbands and Wives (+)
The Savages (\)
Burn After Reading (+)
In Bruges (+)
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (\)
Mutual Appreciation (\)
Be Kind Rewind (\)
Black Snake Moan (+)
[rec] (\)
Starting Out in the Evening (+)
The Visitor (+)
My Dinner with Andre (\)
Hostel 2 (-)
Cloverfield (\)
Roger Dodger (+)
Sicko (+)

(+) highly recommended
(\) see it if you feel uninspired
(-) fucking avoid
(*) turned off because it sucked so much or was too tedious

Just because a movie is highly recommended doesn't mean that I love it...it's all relative really. There is a big difference between highly recommended and uninspired. I had to make choices. While I liked Slumdog Millionaire it's nowhere near No Country for Old Men or Wild Strawberries but they all got the (+). Perhaps I should rethink my metric.

How arrogant of me to think anyone will heed my advice.

***** on Rolling Stone

2009-02-21T12:11:00.000-08:00

Occasionally I read rollingstone.com. I'm not sure why because I really don't read anything. It's one of those web sites that I compulsively 'check' and then do nothing. Usually before the page is fully loaded I am already typing in another address, another destination.

Today the page loaded only to reveal a glowing, perfect five star review for U2's newest record (No Line On The Horizon). They gave Bruce Springsteen a perfect score earlier this year. The only other five star reviews that I can remember were for some White Stripes album (just checked, it was for Elephant), reissues, and classic bands that are still kicking around (e.g. Springsteen, U2).

The only thing I can surmise is Rolling Stone is very out of touch with music. OK, I think that's a given and most everybody knows that. Come to think of it, I'm surprised that Rolling Stone is still around in print form. The whole company (?) is essentially a cross-promo for MTV. The reviews are meaningless (they are short and fail to connect with the larger world of music). If you are on the cover, you are guaranteed at least 3.5 stars. Why does Rolling Stone pander to acts like U2 and Bruce Springsteen? I don't have to hear these albums to know they aren't doing anything trailblazing. It might be trailblazing for the respective band or it might be consistent with their other works that also received five stars but it's suspect that the work is the best of any release out there.

All this really boils down to: does anyone take Rolling Stone music reviews seriously anymore? More importantly, do they take themselves seriously?

Spicy Peanut Noodles

2009-02-17T20:20:00.000-08:00

Ok, you may not care about spicy peanut noodles but I sure as hell do.

For the past 4 or so years, I have been on a quest to find the perfect mixture of peanut butter, salt, spice, and acidity only to repeatedly fail. At long last, I found the perfect combination. The original recipe comes from Ina Garten but her recipe was lacking spice, cilantro, and a few other key ingredients.

If you want some awesomeness that is high in fiber, vitamins, and--admittedly--fat, then try this out.

For sauce:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1/3 cup soy sauce (preferably lower sodium)
3 T spicy sesame oil
1 T honey
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 T grated ginger, fresh
3 T toasted sesame seeds
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 t spicy red pepper flakes
1 lime, juiced

Mix it all together.

Boil a large pot of salted H2O and add 1/2 lb whole wheat spaghetti. Remove, strain, and run some cold water through the strainer. Run cool water through the pot to cool it down. If you want hot noodles opposed to just warm, disregard this step.

Vegetables:
2 red peppers, thinly sliced
1 carrot, thinly sliced
1/2 lb sugar snap peas or snow peas, blanched, shocked, thinly sliced
1 bunch green onion, chopped
1 handful of bean sprouts

I prefer all the vegetables (except green onion) to be long and thin so it meshes well with the spaghetti.

Return noodles to pot. Add vegetables. Add sauce. Mix. Add some fresh cilantro to the top. Eat.

One quip: there is 1/2 cup plus 3 T of oil in this dish. The sauce is somewhat runny which helps to coat every square inch of pasta and vegetable. If you are concerned, just use less vegetable oil (don't skimp on the sesame oil) until it's creamy or thick enough for you.

Top 5 Albums of 2008

2009-02-09T21:59:00.000-08:00

As mentioned in an earlier post, my abundance of free time in the latter half of 2008 resulted in a growing music collection. There were many fantastic records. Though few seemed to pack the emotional resonance that some great albums speak to. Not emo emotional but more the symbiosis between art and society (essentially, urgency). Let's not debate art, just take that statement at face value. Thanks.

When Arcade Fire's Funeral came out in 2004, its appeal was justifiably overwhelming. It filled a void in the music world. It wasn't just music, it was our (well, my) life. Frustration, anguish, brooding, hopefulness revealed themselves lyrically, musically, and thematically. I didn't realize how much of a hole there was in the music world until I heard this album. Were we tapping our feet just waiting for that album to be made? Did we need it just then? Why was no one else making it? Could they even make it?

The same with Radiohead's Kid A. These two albums were alarm clocks; they alerted me that music can be both timely and timeless.

Unfortunately, this year lacked such an album. There were still some fantastic albums. Here are the five best albums of the year:

#5: Cut Copy, In Ghost Colours
A little late to the party with this one. I heard this album after I saw them in Seattle. Fuck, they were amazing live. The most fun concert I've been to...in a long time, ever, maybe. (Note fun and good aren't always the best...this was both, though). In Ghost Colours is unabashedly fun and joyous. The rock/electronica is lush; Brian Eno would be happy with the result. Many of the songs breathe and build throughout the 3-4 minutes of pop music but it's never really a downer. It's fun, expertly crafted, and repeatable. See them live if able to.

#4: Plants and Animals, Parc Avenue
This one was on my IPOD for the middle six months of the year. It's a trio from Montreal that lingers and exploits all that is possible from three musicians. I see it as "tangible-rock." It's production is not so sheen that all instruments meld together like one sonic beast. Rather, the instruments meld in that they bounce and reflect off one another. Though it's often booming, each musician is properly heard. This might have something do with levels but I don't now what the fuck levels are. It's a bit grandiose in parts, sometimes almost to a fault, but each song, much like another album further up the list, is different. Of course the album is cohesive despite perceived disjointedness across cuts. It's an adventure to hear the group shift gears throughout the album. Each song is unique. This album is a grower. Give it patience and you will be rewarded. It's a cliched and unoriginal sentiment but it's true. Sorry. I am excited to hear what their next album will sound like.

#3: Dodos, Visiter
This duo creates a sonic palate so diverse that it's difficult to pinpoint their influences. Who really cares when they make great music? The drum and guitar work on this album in pointed with each instrument working in harmony or taking the backseat to the other. These two dudes pack the landscape with textures that exhilarating, considering it's just the two of them.

#2: High Places, 03/07-09/07
I heard about this album for quite some time before hearing it. It's tough to compare to other music. If I had to, it's more whimsy, more carnivalistic that Animal Collective though certainly treads in the similar psychedelic water, even if they are at opposite ends of the pool. Backed by female vocals and lo-fi production, it sounds as if this duo got all the shit from their apartment, threw it on the coffee table, and recorded. Obviously, that could be a bad thing but it isn't here. I can't imagine the vocal style meshed with any other music. All parts of each song's structure is disparate when viewed singularly. Collectively, they cross and tangle and melt until it's one and it washes over you, completely.

#1: Department of Eagles, In Ear Park
This is the album that was always on my ipod throughout the year. I could listen to it quietly while doing something else or blaring doing nothing else. This is one of those albums that is two-faced: I can see how people could pass it up but after listening to it a few times it's impossible to fathom other not loving this the way I do. It's crisp and never really climaxes and it might drag for some but the texture (again) is really rich and unassuming. Such contradictions seem unfit for my favorite album of the year. Though with each listen a new side of the album is revealed and, to me, that's what makes good music truly great.

The Real World

2009-02-08T22:34:00.000-08:00

It sucks.

After working one week in the past six months I feel entitled to bitch about the soul-crushing that was forced upon my head. I know a lot of people get some strange rush working really hard in the corporate atmosphere (many of you people being my friends) but I just don't get it. Certainly the money is appealing. And some of the ridiculous characters are entertaining (they are only entertaining in this sad vacuum that voids all other richness in life). Is there anything else?

I don't really know that much about corporate hierarchy and differences between them. But, from two jobs working in the prototypical corporate/office setting, I can tell you it blows. Presumably the rigid hierarchy is meant to keep order. All it really does is allow the slimy shit to slide from the top to me.

"Oh, I didn't tell you to do that on Monday?"

"No, you only told me about this so I did that."

"Mmmm, well, I need six hours of work in 30 minutes. Get to it."

(steaming, indistinctly) motherfucker bitch-assing cunt

Seriously, the so-called managers I have worked for lack any intelligible foresight, are unable to contextualize a task, and are terrible communicators (this of course excludes Penn State and Zenos). Why would they charge a temp worker with the creation of a massive spreadsheet that holds the key to several thousand workers replacing retail employees should they go on strike? They made me feel like I had been working there for years.

Enough poor me and this put-upon post. Just had to get this off my chest.

One week of work has really pushed graduate school into the picture. I imagine fall 2010 admission is going to be competitive (I doubt I am the only person who has had trouble gaining employment during these last months) but I am excited about the process and, hopefully, returning to school to pursue something I feel strongly about, not to become pencil-pushing robot who is rendered inane about one week of bullshit work.

"Why is this happening to me?"

2009-02-04T20:11:00.000-08:00

Another day and I'm still ripping off other web sites that link to other web sites that play videos.

This is truth in internet video form. Unchecked honesty.

Christian Bale Goes Apeshit on DP (Remix)

2009-02-03T22:22:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I heard the audio of Christian Bale going absolutely nuts on the DP of the new Terminator movie. Some people are surprised by this tirade. I am not. The dude never smiles unless he is delirious or about to kill/fuck someone with a chainsaw (I guess they are kind of one in the same). Enjoy this remix by some guy on the internet. Hilarious.

Bale:

"Somebody should be fucking watching him."

Other Guy:

"Fair enough."

Full audio here.

Sensory Deprivation Tank: My Experience

2009-01-27T23:36:00.000-08:00

Joe Rogan loves them. So should you.

Last fall (fall 07) I took part in a Penn State research study on the anthropology, so they said, of floating in a sensory deprivation tank. Basically, the researchers wanted to analyze your genetic disposition for feeling certain things before and after you floated in a sensory deprivation tank for a period of an hour.

At the beginning of the study they took a small blood sample. They pricked my finger and I got to paint all over their paper.

Then, I stripped down, skivvies and all, and plunged into the tank. It's basically an oversized coffin with a small hatch in the front. You get in to the tank, lie down, and float in the one foot of water and countless pounds of epsom salt. One hour later, out I was.

Now, before and after a few of my 12 floats, I was asked to fill out a questionnaire. "I feel happy today." Vote on a scale of 1-4. "I feel anxious." 1-4, again. There were about 30 questions that attempted to gauge my general well-being before I floated and after I floated.

Every time, before I floated, the questions were answered with some trepidation and uncertainty. "I feel happy today." Mmmm, well, I guess I feel about a 2. However, the questions were answered with irrefutable authority AFTER floating. "I feel happy today." Well, I am most certainly a 4 today, no doubt about it. Every single time this happened. While wishy-washy responses preceded the float, strong feelings were yielded after. I always felt happier, more enthusiastic, motivated, and balanced. Every damn time.

Inside the tank it was 60 minutes of darkness pounding at the door but unable to get in. Sound washed over the exterior as I lay still and quiet in the slippery water. I could not see my hand one inch in front of my face. Occasionally I would bob laterally in the water, sometimes hitting the edges of the tank. With no senses to excite, my mind delved into a state it had not known. With no stimulus, I retreated into myself, into my body. (I know this sounds new age and stoner, you should probably try it before you judge.) Usually, the first 5 or 10 minutes (maybe longer, maybe shorter; who knows, sense of time is essentially eliminated in the tank) was devoted to adjustment. "OK, it's OK, I'm OK, it's just dark and quiet and I'm floating." Usually my mind would skirt with tangible items of the day ("Shit, I have to get that newsletter out") and nonsensical dreamlike fantasies. They usually intertwined, me not giving in to either. It's like when you are half awake/half asleep and you know you are dreaming but you still hear the person in the other room calling to you.

After a while all business of the day evaporated. It was just you.. Before floating, I read that you with no escape could be a scary thing. I was most nervous about being left alone with myself. Not claustrophobia, not a feeling of physical entrapment but a mental prison of which there was not escape but only cowardice in escaping from the tank.

Actually, it was quite good. I often hallucinated absurd objects and delicate projections against the wall of my brain. It was usually blackness filled by wild, vital color. Once Abraham Lincoln's bloody hand was reaching for my head. As soon as it appeared, it was gone. There was no context in the tank. Nothing to judge one thing against another. For what are things inside your mind?

After getting out of the tank, I would rub my naked body and rid myself of the caked salt. Often times it was so encrusted in my skin and hair that it left a ring of residue in the shower when I got home. While walking or biking home, still getting used to the setting light, I always felt a little smarter than everyone else and I think it showed. Everyone felt just a little sadder and little less in touch with themselves. I could feel their eyes on me and I smugly smiled back leaving them to wonder.

After each float (sans one), I felt refreshed and excited for anything. It was a much needed bolt of energy in the doldrums of winter.

There are floating centers all over the world. I highly recommend seeking one out and checking in. I can guarantee (well, maybe) you will be energized and uplifted. Money back guarantee, bitches.

Old Heads, New Music

2009-01-19T00:22:00.000-08:00

Check out these dudes talk about music.

"It's good until they open their fucking mouths."

Check out some of the other videos...they are rather amusing. This is actually an interesting topic. It reminds of the CD I made for my parents that was supposed to educate them on the current sounds. It was aptly title "Music I Like but You Will Probably Hate." I think the only time they listened to it was when I forced it upon them.